Greece supports Kosovo over EU and Serbia talks

Greek foreign minister Nikos Dendias met on Friday with his Kosovar counterpart in Pristina, and stressed Ans' support to Kosovo's efforts toward joining EU.

Dendias was in Kosovo's capital to meet with local top officials and held a briefing after meeting with Donika Gervalla.

Kosovo has signed Stabilization and Association Agreement with Brussels, which is first step towards joining bloc in future.

Dendias said that Europe should work hard to keep Western Balkan countries away from influence of or forces, apparently Russia and China, though he did not mention m by name.

Western Balkan countries are at different stages of joining bloc.

Dendias also stressed Ans support to lifting visa requirement for Kosovars, who remain last not to be able to freely travel to EU member states.

Greek foreign minister repeated that Ans still does not recognize Kosovo as an independent state but urged strengning economic and cultural ties between m.

Greece has been an active presence in Kosovo since a 1998-1999 war between separatist ethnic Albanian rebels and Serb forces ended after a 78-day NATO air campaign that drove Serb troops out and a peacekeeping force moved in.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, recognized by most Western nations, but Serbia and allies Russia and China don't.

Greece and four or EU member states, too, do not recognize it.

Tensions over Kosovo remain a source of volatility in Balkans.