Czechs pledge to help Kosovo establish closer ties with EU

The Czech Republic is prepared to help Kosovo and other Balkan states to establish closer relations with the EU, Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg told the media after meeting with his Kosovo counterpart Skender Hyseni in Prague on Friday. Mr. Schwarzenberg said that in his view many problems in the Balkans could be successfully resolved through EU membership and that he would promote this stance during meetings with politicians from other EU countries. The Czech Republic is one of 40 states which have acknowledged Kosovo’s independence and this is historically the first ever visit to Prague by a Kosovo representative.