Skopje and Belgrade receive a call from Brussels: Keep on the Watch

The European Commission has called the authorities in Skopje and Belgrade to show restraint and on a peaceful path to resolve issues concerning the withdrawal of Serbian Embassy personnel from Skopje”, European Commission spokeswoman Maja Kocincic said after the diplomatic incident between Serbia and Macedonia.

We expect both sides to show restraint and find solutions peacefully, in the spirit of good neighbourly”, Kocincic says.

The surprise diplomatic incident, according to Serbian authorities, came as a result of their information that, as they say, has evidence of the offensive intelligence actions in Macedonia against Serbia.

Macedonia's government through a statement stated that Macedonia will always pursue its interests and co-operate for good neighbourly relations by not mixing in state disputes.

Macedonia's “Republic develops friendly relations with all neighbouring countries. When open issues exist between our two neighbours, the Government of the Republic of Macedonia, will always follow the interests of the state towards good neighbourly principles of regional co-operation and non-communication in disputes between states”, the government of Macedonia's statement is said, following Belgrade's decision to attract Serbia's Embassy personnel to Macedonia, following the delivery of the grade, without clarifying the reasons.

Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciq, promised that good friendly reports would continue, while this act is a “preparation for the protection of friendship between the two countries”, following the new government's arrival.

“We will continue to develop Belgrade's friendly reports with Skopje. Ours is for our people to be prepared and ready for the protection of the friendship of Serbs and Macedonians, but we also have knowledge of what it is like to take place in a new environment, which for us was not known until several months ago”, said Vuciq, promising that the case will be clarified in the next 10 days.

Serbia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ivica Dacic, promised that the diplomatic representatives would return to Skopje soon, meanwhile shortly thereafter, the ambassador also warned of changes in diplomatic composition.

Diplomatic relations between Macedonia, Serbia have sometimes been marred by Macedonian recognition