Serbia rejected the EU deal on normalising relations with Kosovo on Monday. Speaking to the press, Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic said:
"The government of Serbia cannot accept principles verbally presented to its negotiating team in Brussels, since they do not guarantee full security and protection of human rights to the Serb people in Kosovo."
The EU had given Serbia until Tuesday to decide whether it will relinquish its control over northern Kosovo in exchange for talks to negotiate the start of a Serbian role in the EU. Talks last week were the eighth round of EU facilitated talks between Kosovo and Serbia.
Responding to Serbia's decision to reject the deal, the EU's Catherine Ashton said:
"I believe that all the elements for an agreement on northern Kosovo are on the table. I regret the decision of the Serbian government to reject the proposals and call on them to make a last effort to reach an agreement, for the benefit of their people."
See also: Serbia struggles to let go of northern Kosovo (07 Apr 2013)
