BRUSSELS, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Serbia and Kosovo must resolve their differences before Belgrade can be granted official candidate status in the European Union, diplomats said.
The continued deadlock over relations is likely to prevent EU member states from granting candidate status to Serbia at their Dec. 9 summit, the EUobserver reported.
French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said his country is in favor of recognizing Serbia "but it has to resume dialogue with Kosovo."
One senior Polish diplomat indicated it was time for Serbia to recognize Kosovo's independence.
"We always give them the example of Poland," he said. "Poland lost a third of its territory after World War II. Sometimes, you just have to let go."
EU efforts are currently under way to bring Pristina and Belgrade back to the negotiating table following this summer's violence.
Ethnic Serbs erected barricades that prevented Kosovo border police from taking up their posts. One Kosovo policeman was killed and buildings were set on fire.
