BELGRADE, Serbia, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Friday praised the agreement struck between Kosovo and Serbia that should move Serbia closer to EU membership.
The former Yugoslav states reached a compromise on how Kosovo, which unilaterally broke away from Serbia in 2008, should be represented in regional meetings. Serbia had refused to recognize its former province as an independent country.
"These agreements are consistent with Kosovo's independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty, and move Kosovo closer toward full European integration, which the United States continues to support," Clinton said in a statement issued from Washington. "Kosovo will now sit at the table in regional fora as an equal partner, representing and speaking for itself."
EU leaders who facilitated the discussions called the agreement "a major step forward," EuroNews.net reported.
Clinton said the international community hopes the agreement will "open the door to Serbia's EU candidacy" as well.
"Serbia's progress toward European integration is good for Serbia, good for Kosovo, and good for the future of the entire region," she said. "We look forward to the continuation of the EU-facilitated dialogue on other issues that impact the daily lives of the citizens of both countries."
She commended both governments for their "flexibility and hard work" during the discussion.
"The United States shares a strong and enduring friendship with Kosovo and Serbia," she said. "We have supported this process from the beginning, and we recognize the commitment and the difficult decisions that have been necessary in order to make progress."
