Thaci says he wants 'European Kosovo'

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PRISTINA, Kosovo, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, after meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, said Wednesday he hopes to point Kosovo towards Europe.

Thaci said he is working for a "European Kosovo, a Eur-Atlantic Kosovo," the U.S. State Department said. He appeared at a news conference with Clinton and Catherine Ashton, the European Union's foreign policy chief.

"Although extraordinary success has been made in integrating Serbian citizens in the south of the country, still a challenge remains in the north," Thaci said. "I am a prime minister, prime minister of all citizens, both the citizens in the north and in south."

Clinton, who first visited Kosovo during the civil war in Serbia 13 years ago, said Thaci showed courage by traveling to Brussels to meet with EU officials.

"My message yesterday in Belgrade is the same as my message here today in Pristina," Clinton said. "The United States urges all parties to continue to work to implement the agreements reached to date, to reach agreements in new areas, and to advance concrete measures to normalize relations. Normalization of relations is key to future progress for both Serbia and Kosovo."