There is great potential for cooperation between Serbia and Albania and it must not be overshadowed by the Kosovo issue, on which Belgrade and Tirana hold opposing views, it was stated at a Dec. 22 presentation of proposals for a new beginning in relations between the two countries.

Participants at the assembly said improving cooperation would also contribute to solving the Kosovo issue and to Serbia and Albania advancing toward the European Union.

Center for Regionalism director Aleksandar Popov said communication among Serbian and Albanian citizens had to be promoted, and that stereotypes in the perception between Serbia and Albania were a consequence of little being known about the day today life on the other side of the border.

A collection of practical policy proposals compiled by the International and Security Affairs Center fund emerged during workshops with representatives of the state, analysts and the civic sector in Belgrade and Tirana late in 2010, and through research by that fund, with backing from the Friedrich Ebert Foundation. The collection is available at www.euractiv.rs.