Balkans

BRUSSELS - The Serbian representatives in Brussels voiced the "principled position" that Serbia does not want to take any steps that would lead to an erosion of its relations with the Russian Federation, Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic said late Monday, stressing that no objection was made to the stance, which resulted in "no particular discussion."

BRUSSELS - Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said late on Monday, after the latest round of Belgrade-Pristina talks, that the best possible results were achieved for Serbia under difficult conditions, in terms of the judiciary in Kosovo-Metohija (KiM).

Vučić: Best for Serbia under difficult conditions

BELGRADE -- Aleksandar Vučić says "the best possible result for Serbia and Serbs in terms of judiciary in Kosovo and Metohija was achieved, under difficult conditions."

He spoke late on Monday after another round of the Kosovo dialogue held in Brussels.

BRUSSELS - A new round of dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina begun in Brussels Monday, and its main themes are judiciary and the setting up of the Community of Serb municipalities (ZSO) in Kosovo-Metohija (KiM).

Montenegro's parliamentary speaker Ranko Krivokapic will visit Moscow and Kiev this week as part of the OSCE's efforts to help mediate in the Ukrainian crisis.

BELGRADE - The chairman of the Serbian parliamentary committee on Kosovo-Metohija Milovan Drecun said on Monday that he expects future Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic to expedite the Brussels talks on normalising the Belgrade-Pristina ties.

Some MPs argued that only former Kosovo Liberation Army fighters should get state benefits, while others insisted that other guerrillas who fought in the 1998-99 war should also receive assistance.

Kosovo dialogue "not right place to discuss Ukraine"

BELGRADE -- Milovan Drecun says he "does not believe that the EU will take advantage of today's round of the Kosovo dialogue to influence Serbia about Ukraine."

Kosovo dialogue resumes in Brussels

BRUSSELS, BELGRADE -- Prime ministers of Serbia and Kosovo, Ivica Dačić and Hashim Thaci, are meeting today with EU High Representative Catherine Ashton for a new round of dialogue.

Besides Dačić, the meeting is attended by Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić.

Serbia to "move toward EU, foster ties with Russia"

JAGODINA -- Ivica Dačić says Serbia’s national and state priorities are its road to the EU, along with fostering good relations with traditional friends at the same time.