Brussels

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA - Kosovo's undefined status is not good for people's lives, be they Albanians or non-Albanians, says deputy UNMIK chief Jennifer Brush.

"Kosovo army would be contrary to UN resolution"

BELGRADE -- Serbian Government Office for Kosovo Director Marko Djuric has said that Belgrade opposes the establishment of Kosovo's armed forces.

In addition, he pointed out that this would be contrary to "international documents."

BRUSSELS - European Parliament (EP) members will debate the final version of a resolution on Serbia's progress in European integrations at Tuesday's plenary session in Strasbourg, with the vote scheduled for Wednesday.

By Eshe Nelson

Greece?s government bonds fell, excluded from gains made by its euro-area peers, amid investor concern a provisional agreement to extend aid to the country may not hold.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras would be welcome to visit Berlin, a German government spokeswoman said on Monday, but there are no concrete plans for a visit at the moment.

The leftist Greek leader is not currently on Berlin's guest list, said spokeswoman Christiane Wirtz, adding: «He remains welcome in Germany and in Berlin especially."

The euro dived on March 9 to a new 11.5-year low against the dollar as the European Central Bank kicked off its radical 1.1-trillion-euro ($1.2-trillion) bond-buying program, known as quantitative easing.

Sentiment was also weighed down by concerns over Greece, with Athens due to present its reform plans to Brussels in order to secure a financial lifeline.

European finance ministers urged Greece on March 9 to stop wasting time in talks on its crucial bailout as debt-stricken Athens warned of a possible referendum if its reform plans are rejected.

Euro zone officials played down plans submitted by cash-strapped Greece to its international creditors in a bid to secure fresh funds, a day after Athens' outspoken finance minister irked EU partners by raising the prospect of a referendum.
   

Pristina official: Serbia must recognize Kosovo to join EU

PRISTINA -- Serbia is aware that it will have to recognize "the state of Kosovo" before joining the European Union, says Kosovo's minister without portfolio Edita Tahiri.

BELGRADE - Serbia is aware that it will have to recognise the state of Kosovo before joining the European Union, says Kosovo's minister without portfolio Edita Tahiri, who is responsible for the dialogue with Belgrade, adding that the Brussels dialogue will be considered a success once its objective - EU accession of both Kosovo and Serbia - is accomplished.