Kosovo wants 'concrete outcome' in Serbia talks: FM

(ZAGREB) - Visiting Kosovo foreign minister Enver Hoxhaj said here on Monday that Pristina would do everything to ensure that ongoing EU-brokered talks with Belgrade have a concrete outcome.

"No one can be part of the European Union if they have open issues with the neighbours .... that is why we will positively approach the dialogue (with Serbia) and do everything to reach a concrete outcome," Hoxhaj told journalists after meeting his Croatian counterpart Gordan Jandrokovic.

"The issues of sovereignty, territorial integrity ... for us are closed," Hoxhaj added, labelling the ongoing talks with Belgrade as a "technical dialogue."

Delegations from Kosovo and Serbia are meeting again in Brussels on Monday for the second round of face-to-face talks which started earlier this month. The talks are the first direct high level meetings since Pristina proclaimed independence three years ago despite fierce opposition from Belgrade.

Belgrade still considers Kosovo its southern province, while Pristina insists that its independence is irrevocable after being recognised by 75 countries, including the United States and most of the European Union member states.

The talks under EU auspices are focused on practical issues and the two sides have already agreed to make civil registries and records on land and property available to all.

During the first meeting, Belgrade and Pristina officials also discussed regional trade agreements, aviation and telecommunications issues.

Jandrokovic voiced Croatia's strong support to the talks between Belgrade and Pristina.

Although Croatia has recognised the independence of Kosovo, Jandrokovic said Zagreb also wanted to strengthen ties with neighbouring Serbia.

"There should be a rule that developing of good ties with one country does not mean hampering of relations with another," he said.

"We wish that all the countries in the region start functioning on the same principles on which the EU is based -- cooperation, development of overall relations thus contributing to regional stability, peace and prosperity," Jandrokovic added.