German Ambassador to Kosovo Hans-Dieter Steinbach has said his country supports Kosovo's and Serbia's accecssion into the EU as two separate countries, adding that Serbia will be asked to recognize Kosovo during its EU integration.

Sometime during the EU integration process the issue of Kosovo's recognition will come up, he stated, adding that the EU would never take in two countries that do not recognize each other," the outgoing ambassador told the Koha Ditore daily from Pristina.

The northern Kosovo issue should be put on the table in the talks between Belgrade and Pristina after a certain time, Steinbach noted.

The north should be part of the dialogue at some time in the future, he said, adding that it should not be related to some kind of division or anything similar, but should be aimed at ensuring proper conditions for Serbs in that part of Kosovo and having them accept the rules of the state of Kosovo.

The German official does not think there is a risk of failure in trying to turn Kosovo into a country.

Kosovo has been recognized by 76 countries, and although the process is somewhat slow, there will be new recognitions, he remarked.

Germany will oppose any threat to Kosovo's sovereignty, its division or change of borders, Steinbach asserted.

He added that only safe borders can bring stability to the Balkans and Europe.