(ANSA) - BELGRADE, SEPTEMBER 23 - The decision to open EU
adhesion talks with Albania and Macedonia ''is crucial not only
for both countries but for the entire region and the EU'', said
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, according to the
European External Action Service (EEAS). The statements were
made at a traditional working dinner with Western Balkan leaders
on the sidelines of the 74th General Assembly of the United
Nations in New York. Mogherini and the heads of State and
government of the Balkans also expressed support for the
resumption of dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo, expressing the
hope that a ''judicially binding agreement on the full
normalization of relations'' between the two countries can be
reached, stressed EEAS. During the meeting, all Balkan leaders
reconfirmed their ''strong engagement towards the European
perspective'' guaranteeing that ''work on reforms and regional
cooperation will continue''. The working dinner with Mogherini,
local media in Belgrade reported, was attended by the foreign
ministers of Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ivica Dacic and Igor
Crnadak, Macedonian Premier Zoran Zaev, Kosovo's President
Hashim Thaci. Albanian Premier Edi Rama did not attend after he
had to abruptly depart from the US due to a strong quake in
Albania. Rama however decided on Monday to travel back to New
York. Mogherini, on behalf of the EU, is mediating in particular
on dialogue on Kosovo between Belgrade and Pristina, blocked for
nearly a year due to customs duties increased by 100% which are
imposed by Kosovo on imports from Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
In the new European Commission scheduled to take office on
November 1, Mogherini will be replaced as EU foreign policy
chief by Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell. (ANSA)
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