International recognition of Kosovo

Serbia "respects Russia, but wants to join EU"

BELGRADE -- Aleksandar Vučić has told German and Swiss newspapers that Serbia "respects Russia as a great power and a partner, but that its goal is to join the EU."

BELGRADE - Presidents of Serbia and Belarus Tomislav Nikolic and Alexander Lukashenko underlined in a joint statement on Thursday commitment to the norms of international law and the UN principles and goals, pointing to a positive trend in overall cooperation between the two countries.

FM: Serbia "maintains principled position on Ukraine"

BELGRADE -- Serbia is maintaining a principled position on the Ukrainian crisis and respects the territorial integrity of all UN member states, Ivica Dačić has said.

NEW YORK - Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga has said that the creation of Kosovo armed forces would contribute to overall security in the Balkans and called on all ethnic communities to take part in the process.

BELGRADE - Slovak Ambassador in Belgrade Jan Varso has said on Wednesday that Bratislava's position on the non-recognition of Kosovo remains unchanged.

Slovakia's stand on the non-recognition of Kosovo remains unchanged, Varso told Tanjug, adding that "many have speculated about that".

"Slovakia not changing position on Kosovo"

BELGRADE -- Slovak Ambassador in Belgrade Jan Varso has said on Wednesday that Bratislava's position on the non-recognition of Kosovo remains unchanged.

Slovakia's stand on the non-recognition of Kosovo remains unchanged, Varso told Tanjug, adding that "many have speculated about that".

BELGRADE - The Serbian government office for Kosovo stated on Friday that Serbs from Kosovo had joined the rescue operations in flooded areas in Serbia.

Fifty Serbs arrived from southern Kosovo and joined the rescue teams in Ub and Obrenovac, the worst hit areas, the statement says.

BELGRADE - The EU accession negotiations demand a long and challenging process of reform, but also entail new opportunities for Serbia under the leadership of Aleksandar Vucic, British Prime Minister David Cameron said in a congratulatory note to Serbia's new prime minister.

BELGRADE - French Ambassador to Serbia Francois-Xavier Deniau has stated that the speed of Serbia's progress towards the EU accession will depend on its political decisions with a view to the Ukrainian crisis included.

The European Union and Kosovo have concluded a deal deepening ties between Brussels and Pristina, EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele reported on Tuesday.