Serbia acknowledges loosing sovereignty over Kosovo
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Serbia has adopted a set of guidelines for reconciliation talks with the leaders of Kosovo in a strong first signal that it is loosening its claim to its former province.
Serbia maintains it will never recognize Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence. But in a big shift in policy, an overwhelming majority of Serbia's Parliament voted Sunday for a resolution calling for autonomy for minority Serbs within Kosovo's borders, a de facto recognition of Kosovo's sovereignty.
While outlining a government plan for the talks with Kosovo's ethnic Albanian leaders, Serbia's Prime Minister Ivica Dacic said "Serbia's sovereignty over Kosovo practically does not exist."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Progress in the talks is crucial for Serbia to get closer to EU membership.
NATO bombed Serbia in 1999 to stop its crackdown against independence-seeking Kosovo Albanians.