First Serbian politician accepts invitation to Kosovo

Serbia's foreign minister Ivica Dacic became the first government official to visit Pristina, Kosovo since the territory unilaterally declared its independence in 2008.

Mr Dacic attended a Western Balkans conference on creating the infrastructure for a regional network of highways and railways on 25 March 2015 that was held under the auspices of the European Union.

Some other Serbian officials had already visited areas of Kosovo populated by the ethnic Serb minority. However, this was the first time such visit took place at the request of Kosovo's government.

However, hidden tension between the two governments was again highlighted following the cancellation of Kosovo's foreign minister Hashim Thaci visit to Serbia in April 2015. This was due to a threat that he would be detained on the basis of an old warrant.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Kosovo minister Enver Hoxhaj makes historic Serbia visit http://www.europeansources.info/record/kosovo-minister-enver-hoxhaj-makes-historic-serbia-visit/

Reuters, 25.03.15: EU offers 1 bln euros for Balkan infrastructure projects http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/25/kosovo-balkans-eu-idUSL6N0WR3H520150325

Global Times, 26.03.15: Serbian FM visits Kosovo first time since 1999 war http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/914087.shtml

EurActiv, 17.04.15: Serbia will arrest Thaçi if he attends Belgrade conference http://www.euractiv.com/sections/enlargement/serbia-will-arrest-thaci-if-he-attends-belgrade-conference-313872

EUObserver, 22.04.15: Thaci dispute highlights bad will in Serbia relations https://euobserver.com/foreign/128412

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