Coming to a consensus

After two days of talks brokered by the European Union in Brussels, Serbia and Kosovo reached an agreement on two points seen as being a step forward in the tense relationship between the Balkan countries.

According to Friday's agreement, Kosovo will be able to represent itself at international conferences. The two sides also reached a deal on how the tense border region could be jointly managed.

"We're very satisfied with the result," said Serbian chief negotiator Borko Stefanovic, "but it was a really difficult negotiation."

Serbia is trying to increase its chances of becoming a candidate for membership in the European Union, and the EU has said improving its relationship with Kosovo was a major sticking point.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 but Belgrade does not recognize it as a sovereign nation. All but five of the 27 EU member states recognize Kosovo.

Serbia's candidacy will be further discussed by EU foreign ministers at a meeting next week in Brussels. German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle was in Belgrade on Thursday and said that he hoped Serbia would soon be granted official candidate status for EU membership.

"It is doable, it is reachable if we stay patient, flexible, rational and busy," Westerwelle told reporters after meeting his Serbian counterpart, Vuk Jeremic. "The next step is the status of candidate of EU. Germany would like to see this step taken at the next meeting of the European Council."

mz/msh (AFP, AP, Reuters, dpa)