Recalling that Serbia had to begin EU entry talks, Fuele said the opening of the accession negotiations was clearly linked to progress in steps aimed at improving relations with Kosovo, in accordance with the Stabilisation and Association process.
The EU expects Serbia to make further progress in dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina aimed at a visible and sustainable improvement of relations, in the spirit of cooperation and reconciliation in the region, in which progress has been achieved in recent years, Fuele told the paper.
He is scheduled to hold talks with Nikolic in Belgrade today and attend his inauguration.
Fuele said Brussels wanted the good EU-Serbia relations to continue and stressed that the reforms necessary for Serbia to be given a date for the start of the accession negotiations could not wait.
He said the EU expected all Serbian political leaders to speak and act responsibly and make a positive contribution to reconciliation in the region.
Speaking of former Serbian President Boris Tadic as a possible new prime minister, Fuele said the cooperation between Tadic and European institutions had been outstanding. He said it was up to Serbia and its political parties to form a new government and decide who the new PM would be, adding that the EU was looking forward to cooperation with him or her.