Brussels, 07/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - Direct dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo will kick off in Brussels on Tuesday 8 March under the auspices of the EU. This will be the first time that Belgrade, which does not recognise the independence of Kosovo (which declared itself independent from Serbia in February 2008 in a unilateral move), will be in direct talks with the authorities in Pristina. The discussions between Serbia's Borko Stefanovic (a high-ranking official in the Serbian foreign office) and the deputy prime minister of Kosovo, Edita Tahiri, will be held in an informal environment overseen by Robert Cooper of the European diplomatic corps (EEAS, European External Action Service). The talks are expected to end on Wednesday 9 March and further meetings are planned in Brussels several times a month for at least a year. The aim of the talks is “to improve the lives of the people in the region, to improve the cooperation within the Balkans as a whole and to bring the countries closer to the EU”, explain EU sources. In practice, that means discussing the free movement of individuals and goods beyond the border which now Serbs and Kosovans. Regional cooperation and problems with the rule of law in Kosovo will also be raised. Some 15 to 20 issues will be covered in the series of talks, but no detailed work programme has been set out. The negotiations will not be touching on the status of Kosovo. As EU sources explain: “The dialogue (will take place) without prejudice to the positions both parties have on the status issue. These are not status talks.” (H.B./transl.fl)