Kosovo rules out partition of territory

(BRUSSELS) - Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga on Tuesday categorically ruled out partition of the territory, a possibility at times raised in Serbia, which does not recognise Kosovo's three-year-old independence.

Talk of partition, or a swap of territories based on ethnic majorities, "is unacceptable, inhumane", she said after talks in Brussels with European Union president Herman Van Rompuy.

Jahjaga also said she welcomed EU-sponsored moves to back dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. There was "no other alternative," she stressed in comments after the talks.

"Kosovo is ready to fulfill all of its obligations to enter the EU," she said. "Kosovo is ready to be an EU member and a NATO member."

Serbia and Kosovo last week resumed an EU-backed dialogue, resolving a dispute over customs stamps at the root of a trade row that deteriorated into border clashes earlier this year.

The talks are aimed at overcoming everyday problems faced by Kosovo residents due to the non-recognition by Serbia of the ethnic Albanian-majority territory.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and is recognised by more then 80 countries.