Serbia to reject EU-brokered Kosovo deal

[April 08, 2013]  BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) -- Serbia's deputy prime minister says his government will reject an EU-brokered deal for Kosovo and will ask for more negotiations with ethnic Albanian leaders.

The EU has given Serbia until Tuesday to say whether it would relinquish its control of northern Kosovo in exchange for the start of Serbia's EU membership negotiations. Serbia's government says it will give the answer later Monday.

Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said Monday the plan is unacceptable because it does not give more autonomy to minority Kosovo Serbs. Serbia does not recognize Kosovo's declaration of independence in 2008.

EU's top diplomat Catherine Ashton said after the 8th round of talks between Serbian and Kosovo officials last week that she wants an answer from both sides by Tuesday and that the bloc's mediation was over.

[Associated Press]

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