Enver Hoxhaj responds to Ivica Dacic for Kosovo recognitions

Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Enver Hoxhaj condemned the statements by Serbia's foreign minister, Ivica Dacic, that Kosovo resorted to recognitions by seven or eight other states.

Hoxhaj accused Serbia of launching an aggressive “fuge” to prevent recognition of Kosovo's independence as part of a new <x2-political version of false news and hybrid battle (reaching) minimation of peace and stability in the region”.

All countries that have recognised Kosovo have recognised our state sovereignty. There is no dilemma on this issue”, Hoxhaj told BIRN, accusing Serbia of using this topic to shift attention from its role to the “genocide it committed during the 1990s”.

Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic told the Serbian newspaper Vecernje Novosti on Monday that at least seven or eight states out of 114, for which Kosovo says they have recognised independence, in fact have not recognised it.

“I am also sure that if Serbia is devoted to this issue, the number (of recognitions) could be reduced to less than 100”, Dacic said.

His interview came after Kosovo Foreign Minister Behgjet Pacolli announced that Madagascar has recognised Kosovo's independence. Daçic said some countries that have recognised Kosovo could reconsider the decision, but did not specify the states he referred to.

He also said that the states that want to revote recognition of Kosovo -- which official Pristina says is not possible on the basis of international law -- are facing <x0 threats” from Kosovo's “powerful defender”. Kosovo's independence is strongly supported by the United States and most European Union countries, except for the five member states that have not yet recognised it. Recently, Serbia has given great attention to the question of whether Kosovo is recognised by Suriname and Guinea-Bissau.

We will continue the battle. I have spoken with the foreign ministers of many states that have not recognised Kosovo and their position is strong”, Dacic said. Hoxhaj, on the other hand, insists that the process of recognition for Kosovo is irreversible.

“During the first decade of independence, Kosovo is convinced it will achieve its goal to gain diplomatic recognition from two-thirds of the UN member states and has already secured membership in over 50 regional and international organisations”, Hoxhaj said.