3. SOUNDBITE (French) Alain Juppe, Foreign Minister, France:
“This morning in Brussels we took an important decision. We recommended to the European Council that will formally take a decision in a couple of days to confer on Serbia the status of candidate country for EU membership. Why, because Serbia and Kosovo meet the conditions on such things as border management, the denomination of Kosovo. I think the decision is good for Belgrade, it will encourage everyone who wants to progress towards European intergration and good for Kosovo as it can participate in regional meetings and manage its borders. That said there is still a lot to be done and we must remain vigilant that both parties respect their commitments.”

RECENT - GENEVA SWITZERLAND

4. Med shot, flag, Palais de Nations

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Storyline

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said today that the EU (European Union) is set to give Serbia candidate status this week.

He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Juppe said the decision was in the best interests of Kosovo and Serbia and that the EU Council would give its formal approval in a couple of days.

Last week Serbia resolved some longstanding differences with Kosovo on regional co-operation and border management.