BRUSSELS, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Serbia and Kosovo must collectively shape their futures in line with the European Union, the president of Kosovo told European officials in Brussels.
Kosovo's President Atifete Jahjaga met with European leaders in Brussels following border tensions with Serbia in July.
Kosovo in July sent its police forces to the north of the country following disputes over border checkpoints. Serbia wanted to the United Nations to condemn Kosovo for the deployment.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said, if Serbia wants to join the European Union, it needs to let European security teams work in the region and ensure bilateral ties are normalized.
Jahjaga said she backed warmer ties with Brussels and Belgrade, stressing it was time to turn prospects into realties.
"We have to shape our future and it is toward the European Union," she said to European lawmakers.
European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek called on all EU member states to back Kosovo's independence. Its future, he said, lies in the EU and the rest of the Balkan states.
"Any progress in that regard requires good relations with all neighbors and strengthening the rule of law," he said in a statement.
