Kosovo says slim chance for Serbia deal must be seized

Participants take their place at the opening of the Strategic Dialogue of the Western Balkans meeting at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Cologny near Geneva, Switzerland, October 2, 2018. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

GENEVA (Reuters) - Kosovo's president sees only a small chance of a border deal with Serbia emerging soon but it is an opportunity that must be pursued otherwise another decade could slip by, he said after Western Balkan talks in Geneva on Tuesday.

An agreement on a lasting peace between the two countries, including the demarcation of 400 km (250 miles) of border, would open the way to prosperity and closer ties to the European Union, as well as full international recognition for Kosovo, President Hashim Thaci said.