The message from European Union foreign ministers after the International Court of Justice advisory opinion finding no fault in international law with the 2008 declaration of independence in Pristina was as clear as it could be, especially considering that bloc remains "status neutral" on Kosovo because of the minority of member states that continue to reject Kosovo’s independence.

The EU ministers said that the court’s opinion should open a new phase, with the focus on the future, and that the EU was ready to facilitate dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, a dialogue to "promote co-operation, achieve progress on the path to Europe and to improve the lives of the people".

Not dissimilarly, Bulgaria, which is increasingly playing an important role in initiatives in the Western Balkans in co-operation with the EU leadership, also called for a dialogue to "address specific problems related to the daily lives of the citizens" of Serbia and Kosovo. Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry called for emotions to be overcome and, significantly, reaffirmed support for the European prospects of both Serbia and Kosovo as well as all other Western Balkans countries – depending, of course, on the achievements of each country in the region.

As to Serbia, it is fortunate that, however firmly Belgrade repeated its rejection of Kosovo’s independence and vowed to continue its international campaign against recognitions, the country’s leadership gave a response that was responsible, mature and measured. Specifically, Belgrade underlined that it would continue to work through international channels of diplomacy and rejected all other means.

There is some significance in how the respective alliances are divided. Serbia has the backing of, among others, Russia, no doubt also for reasons of Moscow’s own individual foreign policy and quest for influence in the region. Kosovo has the backing of the United States, most of the EU, but also Turkey and much of the Arab and Islamic world. The world’s leaders and diplomats would do well to avoid the Kosovo issue descending into a proxy contest of influence.

Further, there is the position of Serbia. Unquestionably, the court’s opinion has been a reverse for Belgrade, however much Serbia argues that it refers only to the technicalities of independence declarations.

If the EU, with Bulgaria following through in the role that it has taken up, can help to bring about negotiations to smooth out difficulties in the everyday lives of the people of Serbia and Kosovo, while at the same time doing all that can be done to enhance and speed the European prospects of Serbia and the whole region, the achievement will be significant.