Brussels/Belgrade, Rajab 17, 1434, May 27, 2013, SPA - The European Union on Monday welcomed the definitive consent of Serbia and Kosovo to normalize relations, saying it took them a step closer to EU membership. "I welcome the decision of both sides to adopt the implementation plan which translates into practice the provisions of the April Agreement," EU's chief diplomat Catherine Ashton said. "The implementation plan is designed to solve problems on the ground and to ensure rapid progress of both Serbia and Kosovo towards the EU," said Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. "It ... is without prejudice to the positions of the two sides on the Kosovo status," she was cited as saying by DPA. --SPA 13:29 LOCAL TIME 10:29 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1114455