Catherine Ashton and Stefan Fule have sent a joint letter to EU members asking for a clear positive decision on the start of accession talks with Serbia. The EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, and the organization’s enlargement commissioner sent the letter on Friday.

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen praised Bulgaria’s contributions to the Alliance and its commitment to transatlantic security. Rasmussen held talks on Thursday with Bulgarian Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski.

Representatives from European Union countries failed to reach an agreement on Thursday that would clear the way for the opening of talks on one of the 35 negotiating chapters for Turkey’s eventual accession into the EU.