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Talks in Ohrid are only the start, Kosovo issue cannot be resolved overnight – Serb leader

Aleksandar Vucic noted that a process that has been going on for 150 years or more cannot be fixed overnight

BELGRADE, March 19. /TASS/. The latest negotiations between the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo in the North Macedonian city of Ohrid are only the beginning of a lengthy negotiation process, the Kosovo issue cannot be resolved overnight, the Serbian leader said early on Sunday.

"This is just the start, the beginning. I am a serious man and I know that it is a serious and tough process. The process that has continued for 150 years or even longer cannot be fixed overnight. It is simply impossible," Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said after the 12-hour EU-mediated talks with the prime minister of the unrecognized Kosovo republic, Albin Kurti.

"However, we need to launch this serious process and resolve our problems, and it would mean a serious improvement in the plight of people living on both sides of the administrative [border] line. We will need to look for solutions, to stand up to criticism and all the rest," he added.

"From now on, our results will be assessed separately. If Pristina fails to implement the agreements on the Community of Serbian municipalities - no progress for Pristina. If Serbia is not ready to do something - no progress for Serbia then," Vucic said.

In his words, the timeframe for the next meeting has not yet been set.

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