'Belgrade attempting to destroy Kosovo'

Kosovo has accused Serbia of making attempts to destroy the young country ahead of the first anniversary of its self-declared independence. 

"We expected Belgrade to overcome the mentality of the (wartime Serb president) Slobodan Milosevic era in relations with Kosovo," Prime Minister Hashim Thaci told AFP. 

However, "they have a completely chauvinistic approach in order to imperil the territorial integrity of Kosovo," he said, urging Belgrade to make a fresh start in ties with its breakaway southern province. 

"There is a good will in Pristina for normalization of the state relations; reciprocal recognition between Kosovo and Serbia as two independent states; opening of embassies of Kosovo in Belgrade and of Serbia in Pristina and establishing of diplomatic relations," he added. 

Belgrade says it is willing to hold negotiations with the leaders of its former province, as long as the talks pose no threat to Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

Despite Belgrade's vehement opposition Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from the Serbian rule in mid-February last year and has so far been recognized by 54 countries, including the United States as well as 22 out of the European Union's 27 member states. 

The declaration, however, drew strong criticism from Russia, warning against the wrong example the move could set for other independent-seeking region in the world. 

Prior to its self-declared independence, Kosovo was run by the United Nations peacekeeping mission, which was deployed to the region after NATO forces put an end to the massacre of Kosovo Albanians by Serb soldiers in 1999.