Serbia and Albania Leaders Clash Over Kosovo Independence

Serbia's Prime Minister Aleksander Vucic rejected an appeal from his Albanian counterpart Edi Rama to recognize Kosovo's independence.

It was the first visit by an Albanian leader to Serbia in almost 70 years and Rama used the opportunity to declare Kosovo's independence an "unchangeable reality."

"An independent Kosovo is a reality accepted by a great number of countries," Rama said at a joint press conference.

"The sooner you recognise that, the faster the progress we can make in all aspects."

Rama's visit to Serbia had been postponed after a brawl at a soccer match between the two nations.

Both Serbia and Albania are seeking to join the European Union. Belgrade is facing pressure from EU members to recognise Kosovo as an independent state.

However, Kosovo is "part of Serbia according to its Constitution, and it's got nothing to do with Albania," Vucic said.

Serbia "won't be humiliated in the heart of Belgrade," Vucic added.

Albania was among the first countries to recognise Kosovo's secession from Serbia and has denied Serbian accusations that it is attempting to merge with Kosovo to form a Greater Albania.