Serbia agrees Kosovo can attend regional meetings

(BRUSSELS) - Serbia agreed Friday to enable breakaway Kosovo to take part in official Western Balkans meetings without having to recognise the independence of the breakaway province.

The deal came after more than two days of tough talks sponsored by the European Union, which has tried for months to ease problems stemming from Pristina's 2008 breakaway.

"We're very satisfied with the result," said Serbian chief negotiator Borko Stefanovic, "but it was a really difficult negotiation."

The two sides also struck an agreement on jointly managing their flashpoint border, scene of recurrent violence betweenh NATO peacekeepers and angry Serbs who make up the majority in northern Kosovo and who reject independence.

This week's talks were being closely watched by European Union powers, who will deliver a crucial verdict next week on Belgrade's bid to join the 27-nation bloc.