Serbian Institute: Most Serbian citizens consider Kosovo missing

Most Serbian citizens think Serbia has lost Kosovo and cannot restore its sovereignty again, it has been said in the findings of a research, which has implemented the Institute for European Affairs in Belgrade.

Respondents believe the Serbian government would not recognise Kosovo and if any possible referendum were organised, they would vote against its recognition.

According to published data, 47 percent of those interviewed have said that Kosovo is lost, 41 percent think otherwise already 12 percent have had no answer.

Serbian citizens who think Serbia has lost Kosovo, according to this research, are between the age of 30 and 60, with a level of middle and higher education, and live mainly in all regions of Serbia, excluded the southern and eastern part of the country.

In the question of how they would vote if a referendum on the Kosovo independence issue was organised tomorrow, 74.5 per cent have said they would vote against it. In favor of independence, 6.2 percent would vote.

There are 1,207 citizens involved in the research, which has been realised between March 8th and 14th this year.

Citizens in general have responded that they have not participated in internal dialogue for Kosovo, and they do not know what it means to define the borders between Kosovo and Serbia, but most have said they oppose this proposal.

Research shows that 57 percent of citizens do not know what the idea of determining borders means. About 29 percent with the definition of borders mean partition, through which the north of Kosovo would meet Serbia, while the Presevo Valley would join Kosovo.

As for Serbia's possible membership in the European Union, 78 per cent of respondents have said they do not support recognition of Kosovo's independence in exchange for Serbia's quick membership in the European bloc.