ZAGREB, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Kosovo Prime Minister Agim Ceku discussed the future of Serbia's breakaway province with top Croatian officials on Friday, in a visit that could strain Zagreb's relations with Serbia.

Ceku, a former guerrilla commander who fought against Serb troops in Croatia and Kosovo in the 1990s, came to Zagreb from Russia, where he pleaded Kosovo's independence cause.

A statement from President Stjepan Mesic's office said they "discussed the situation on Kosovo and the process of deciding on its final status".

"It was stressed that the solution must contribute to the further normalization and stabilization of the region," it said.

Ceku also held talks with Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, Sanader's office said.

Croatia declared independence from communist Yugoslavia in 1991, but had to wage a war with its Serb minority, which was backed by Belgrade. Ceku fought on the Croatian side.

Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority wants independence from Serbia. It has been run by the United Nations since a 1999 NATO bombing campaign drove away Serb troops which are accused of killing civilians while fighting a guerrilla insurgency.

A final decision on its status is due next year.

Serbia, which says Kosovo can never be taken away, calls Ceku a war criminal. When the Kosovo prime minister visited Serbia's former sister state Montenegro last month, Belgrade called the visit an "unfriendly act".

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica has warned that any state which recognizes an independent Kosovo will suffer consequences in its relations with Belgrade. So far he has ignored Ceku's diplomatic tour this week.