EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and Serbian Minister of Internal Affairs Ivica Dacic signed an agreement on security procedures in Belgrade on Thursday, reported the Serbian news agency Tanjug.

The agreement will stipulate procedures for the exchange and protection of classified information, and opens the door for the Serbian military and police to participate in European Union (EU) peacekeeping missions.

"This agreement represents a further sign of Serbia approaching the precondition for the EU and EU security policy," said Dacic after signing the document.

Belgrade is the first stop of Ashton's two-day tour designed to extend EU support for the ongoing dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. As part of the process of regional cooperation, the talks are aimed at improving the lives of ordinary citizens.

Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008 after almost a decade of UN administration. Serbia strongly rejected the move and insisted Kosovo remains its southern province.