Kosovo PM: Deal with Serbia is near

Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said a deal with Serbia over his country's contested status is imminent but denied concessions will be made to the Serb minority in the tense north paving the way for ethnic partition, AP reported. Thaci says Serbs in the north will hold separate elections in September but the elected body will not have executive powers. Serbia rejects Kosovo's declaration of independence. Thaci said Thursday after meeting the European Union's foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, that 'we are at the beginning of the end for reaching a deal.' Ashton chairs meeting between Thaci and Serbia's Ivica Dacic in an effort to move the countries closer to eventual membership in the EU. She met opposition leaders in Kosovo and will meet with officials in Serbia in the afternoon.