Kosovo authorities hosted here on Thursday a Serbian negotiator, Borislav Stefanovic, who is on a visit that marks a new era in the relations between Kosovo and Serbia.
Stefanovic has become the first Serbian politician to officially visit Kosovo after the 1999 war. Meanwhile, his meeting with Kosovo officials marked the first Pristina-Belgrade direct meeting in 12 years, without any international mediation.
"I'm here to deliver the offer for the dialogue that Belgrade is willing to negotiate," said Stefanovic, stating that his visit doesn't mean Serbia has changed its position regarding the status of Kosovo, Xinhua reported.
Stafanovic's visit was described by Kosovo Prime Minister Hasim Thaqi as a new beginning in the relations between Kosovo and Serbia.
The Serbian negotiator also had separate meetings with Kosovo deputy prime ministers Hajredin Kuqi and Edita Tahiri.
Self-determination movement activists in Kosovo opposed the visit, and protested in front of the government buildings in Pristina.
Police units used tear gas to disperse the violent protesters, who threw stones on the police and damaged some official and police vehicles. Eleven activists and 10 police officers were wounded in the clashes.
"There are people against this dialogue, and there are some that do not understand the content of the dialogue," commented Stefanovic.
The Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, facilitated by the European Union, started in March in Brussels.
Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008, a move firmly rejected by Serbia.