Kosovo is forming delegation to negotiate with Serbia to resolve their differences

SANAA, Dec. 16 (YPA) – The parliament in Kosovo on Saturday agreed to form a negotiating delegation to resolve outstanding differences with Serbia amid escalating tensions between the two neighboring countries.

The countries committed in 2013 to engage in an EU-sponsored dialogue aimed at resolving all remaining issues, but little progress has been made since then.

Relations between Belgrade and Kosovo have been strained since 2008 when Pristina declared independence from Serbia.

Kosovo President Hashim Taqi announced in June that he would seek a solution with Belgrade to change the border.

Relations deteriorated further on Friday when parliament voted to form an army of five thousand men, a week after Serbia’s prime minister warned that such a move could push Belgrade to intervene militarily.

Taqi’s  plan has sounded alarm bells among many politicians in Kosovo, Balkan neighbors and some Western diplomats who see it as an attempt to gain access to three Serb municipalities with a majority of Albanians.

In return, Serbia will receive part of the north of Kosovo inhabited by a Serb majority whorefused to recognize the government authority in Pristina.

More than 110 countries have recognized Kosovo, including the United States, but have not been recognized by Serbia, Russia and China.

Sameera Hassn