site.btaBorissov Talks with Kosovo President Thaci on the Phone

Sofia, January 17 (BTA) - Prime Minister Boyko Borissov talked on the telephone with Kosovo President Hashim Thaci following Tuesday's assassination of prominent Kosovo Serb leader Oliver Ivanovic, the government information service said. Borissov strongly condemned the assassination and offered condolences to Ivanovic's family and associates.

Borissov expressed hope that the tragic event would not stand in the way of normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia, and called for Thaci's personal commitment to the resumption of dialogue. "In Strasbourg the integration of the Western Balkans is a priority. I briefed the members of the European Parliament on our arguments why the countries of the region deserve a European perspective, but everyone should make an effort. I rely on your help so that the Kosovska Mitrovica case will not sidetrack us from our great goal," Borissov said, calling for active investigation of the murder.

President Thaci stressed that Kosovo's law enforcers would spare no effort to find the murderer and those who commissioned the murder. "We will not allow this incident to divert us from our goal to normalize relations with Serbia," he said.