Vučić, Kasoulides discuss EU integration, Kosovo

Vučić, Kasoulides discuss EU integration, Kosovo

BELGRADE -- First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić met in Belgrade on Monday with Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides.

They discussed "EU integration, Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and the situation in the region," Vučić's office said in a statement.

Kasoulides "stressed the significance of friendly relations between the two countries and Cyprus's support for Serbia's EU integration and efforts to settle the Kosovo issue."

He also "promised that Cyprus would advocate that the EU keeps its neutral stance on Kosovo."

Vučić was quoted as saying he was "pleased with the relations between the two countries," and that "Serbia and Cyprus are close friends."

He thanked Kasoulides on his country's support for Serbia's EU integration and sovereignty and territorial integrity. Vučić emphasized that Cyprus could count on Serbia's support on the international stage.

The two officials also discussed the situation in the region.

Earlier in the day, Kasoulides met separately with his Serbian counterpart Ivan Mrkić and with President Tomislav Nikolić.