Thu, May 21, 2009
SARAJEVO – US Vice President Joe Biden flew out of Sarajevo heading towards Serbia's capital Belgrade, the second stop of his landmark Balkans trip, an AFP photographer reported.
Biden told Bosnian lawmakers on Tuesday that the United States wanted to build a "new healthy relationship with Serbia," after relations plummeted over Kosovo's independence last year.
"Serbia and the US disagree on Kosovo," he said.
"We do not expect Serbia any time soon to recognise Kosovo, but we do expect Belgrade to cooperate with the EU and other key international actors on Kosovo."
During his stay in Sarajevo, Biden rebuked Bosnian politicians, warning they faced a stark choice between European Union and NATO integration or a return to bloody conflict unless they dropped nationalist rhetoric.
He also pledged Washington's support for Balkan nations' bid to integrate with the 27-member European bloc.
From Belgrade, the vice president is to travel to Kosovo on Thursday.
(Agencies)
