MPJ reacts sharply after Serbian foreign minister's recent move

The MPJD has criticised the Serbian foreign minister's statement, which has demanded that Qatar not lobby for recognising Kosovo's independence.

Serbia continues its destructive campaign in relation to Kosovo, despite commitments made, both in Brussels and Washington. Despite pledges made to the Economic Normalisation Agreement, Serbia does not adhere to them, but openly violates the 15th pledge of this agreement. The latest case is that of January 9th, when Serbia's Foreign Affairs Minister Sakalovic, who at a meeting with Qatar's ambassador to Belgrade, has asked him directly to have “Catari not lobbb for Kosovo”. The fact that the term “lobim” also implies lobby for recognition, we consider that this request of the Serbian foreign minister is a recent violation of the Washington Agreement, at the 15th point which specifically calls for Belgrade to stop the formal and informal campaign against Kosovo citizenship”, said in the response of the MPJD.

This minister says Serbia consistently acts against the agreement signed in Washington.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora has consistently raised violations of the failure to implement agreements reached with Serbia in both the Brussels-brokered dialogue and the pledges of the Agreement reached in Washington. Serbia has not only violated the Washington Agreement, but acted explicitly against it. Recently, the inauguration of the “Balkanstrem” gas pipeline has been made by Serbia's president, Vuciq, in the presence of Russian Ambassador to Belgrade, the project constantly criticised by Secretary Pompeo as “the Kremlin” for the rise of Russian influence in the Balkans”, said in response.

According to the MPJD, Sakkovic's latest statement is “, except Serbia's newest attempt to lobby against Kosovo in Middle Eastern countries, recalling public thanks and supporting former minister Dac against Palestine for not recognising Kosovo, just after signing in Washington”.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora expresses concern even for more than 33 technical agreements reached in Brussels, which continue to be flagrantly violated by Serbia. Thus, Serbia has not functional border crossings with Kosovo, the agreement for the opening of the bridge over Iber, while having arrested and held Kosovo citizens without a reason, Neziri Mehmetaj and Bleim Maqasten, violating each letter of the agreement on freedom of movement, and further smuggling uncensed products in northern Kosovo, in violation of the Agreement for Certification of pharmaceutical products”, says in response.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the continuing threatening, racist and chauvinist language of Serbian leaders disfigured the true face of this state in relation to Kosovo and the international community.

“With successive actions against Kosovo and the Washington Agreement, Serbia proves to be an unreliable and suspicious partner. The Republic of Kosovo as an independent state is interested in reaching the final agreement on mutual recognition with Serbia by respecting the territorial integrity, constitutionality, unitary character and sovereignty of Kosovo, in close co-operation with the non-stop efforts of the US and EU in mediating and finalising the Dialogue process”, the MPJD reaction is said.