Kosovo says Serbia talks to begin on March 8

(PRISTINA) - Kosovo said Thursday that its EU-brokered talks with Serbia, the first high-level direct contact between the two sides after it declared unilateral independence, would start on March 8.

"There will be a meeting (between the two sides) in Brussels on March 8," interior minister Bajram Rexhepi, told reporters, without unveiling the format of the meeting.

He said he was convinced that the United States will play a mediating role in the upcoming talks along the European Union.

"American representatives will be a part of the mediation," he added.

Belgrade and Pristina agreed to the EU-brokered talks in order to ease strained relations after Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia three years ago.

The aim is to solve issues that affect the daily life of all Kosovars including the Serb minority.

Despite Serbia's intense international lobbying against Kosovo's independence, the Albanian-majority territory has been recognised by 75 countries so far, including the United States and all but five EU members.