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US welcomes EU-mediated deal between Kosovo, Serbia

WASHINGTON, Nov 24 (KUNA) -- The US has welcomed a European-Union mediated accord reached between Kosovo and Serbia on measures to avoid further escalation of tensions, after tension deepened between the two sides over vehicles' plates.
"We further commend the two countries' agreement to concentrate fully and urgently on normalizing relations under the auspices of the EU-facilitated dialogue," State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement, late on Wednesday.
He added "we support the EU-facilitated dialogue as the best path to advance Serbia's and Kosovo's European future." He continued "the two parties took a giant step forward today, with EU facilitation, towards assuring peace and stability throughout the region." He said that the US "applauds the constructive negotiations and encourages further progress towards normalization of relations." "We welcome the decision by the parties to put the interests of all their people at the forefront of their decision making and take steps to improve the everyday lives of their citizens," he remarked.
The latest dispute between Serbia and Kosovo started after Pristina said it would fine ethnic Serbs if they abstain from exchanging their vehicle license plates issued by Belgrade for those made by Kosovo.
Alarmed that the row may re-ignite long-time jitters, the European Union has stepped in to defuse the tension. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said late Wednesday that Kosovo and Serbia had agreed to resolve the issue, after hosting Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Brussels for talks. (end) si.rk