French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner on Tuesday expressed his expectation that both Serbia and Kosovo will take part in the forthcoming European Union conference in Sarajevo.

"It did not work last time at the meeting in Slovenia.

Let us hope that everyone will come to Sarajevo and that they will communicate. I expect them to come, but this depends on them. I cannot say that I am certain, but this is a process that cannot be stopped. I know that representatives of Serbia and Kosovo now meet more than before. But, I repeat, this is a process and it will require one generation for things to get normalized," said Kouchner.

In an interview published by the Novi Sad daily Dnevnik, Kouchner also said that Serbia has to pursue a European policy on Kosovo if it wishes to become a part of the European Union. "It should be clear to everyone in Belgrade and Pristina that they have to talk and cooperate, and we will then see whether we may speed up European integrations, which I would like to see happen," said Kouchner.

Stating that his Serbian counterpart Vuk Jeremic pursues a policy which he believes could produce results, Kouchner said that he believes that the majority of people in Serbia, particularly young people, know what has to be done. "I did not request Serbia to recognize Kosovo but to simply start communicating with Kosovo.

Besides status there are issues of vital importance, such as electricity, transportation and travel," said Kouchner.

Commenting on the removal of mobile telephony transmitters by Pristina, Kouchner said: "As far as I know, mobile telephones are functioning. No one has been prevented from talking. They should just select a network."