Serbia, Kosovo PMs inch forward, agree further talks: EU

(BRUSSELS) - The Serbian and Kosovo premiers have agreed to another round of talks under EU auspices after making some progress on expanding a border accord, the European Union said.

Last month, the EU-mediated dialogue led to the opening under joint management of four crossing points on the flashpoint border of northern Kosovo, home to a large Serbian minority which refuses to recognise Pristina.

EU foreign policy head Catherine Ashton met Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic and his Kosovo counterpart Hashim Thaci late Thursday and described the fourth round of talks as "long and constructive".

"We agreed to meet for an intensive dialogue in February, in which we hope to make significant progress on issues we have identified," Ashton said in a statement early Friday after the meeting.

Building on the border accord, Dacic and Thaci "came to a provisional understanding on the collection of customs duties, levies and VAT," she added.

Ashton has taken the lead in sponsoring the talks aimed at normalising ties after Kosovo's unilateral proclamation of independence in 2008.

The EU has promised to draw both sides closer to the 27-state bloc on condition they resolve trade and security issues that complicate citizens' daily lives.

A series of agreements struck in the EU-run talks that kicked off in March 2011 included deals such as the mutual recognition of university degrees and the return of property records.

More than 90 countries, including the United States and 22 of the EU's 27 member states, have recognised Kosovo as an independent state.