"Ashton will go to Priština if she visits Belgrade"

Source: B92, Tanjug

BRUSSELS -- If EU's Catherine Ashton decides to visit Belgrade this week, she will also likely travel to Priština, B92 has learned in Brussels.

Catherine Ashton (Beta/AP, file)

However, the plans of the EU foreign policy chief will be known in the coming days.
Our reporter was told on Monday that Ashton's possible visit would have "a twofold context" - of the region's further EU integration and continued negotiations between Belgrade and Priština.

Meanwhile, her spokesperson Maja Kocijančič told reporters in Brussels that Ashton was traveling to Podgorica on Monday, and then to Tirana and Skopje, and added that they would be later informed if other cities will be included.

However, a European Commission official who spoke on condition of anonymity told Tanjug today that Ashton wished to see "positive signals from both sides" related to the Kosovo dialogue before including Belgrade and Priština in her tour of the region.

This official added that "the possible visit cannot be separated from the political context", and noted that the dialogue had stalled after Belgrade's decision not to accept a proposed agreement on northern Kosovo.

The same source said that according to a previously determined itinerary, Wednesday would be the only day when Ashton could set aside time for visiting Belgrade and Priština.