The government returns to Quinn for Serbia's referendum: Yeah, but not where you're looking.

Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kressnik Ahmeti reacted following the international demand that Serbs vote in Kosovo for the Serbian referendum on constitutional changes.

Ahmeti said he is not denying anyone the right to vote, but that right cannot be done by violating the sovereignty of another country while recalling the two options Serbs want to participate in the referendum.

“The right to vote is not denying any citizen of Serbia in the Republic of Kosovo. But that right cannot be manifested by violating the sovereignty of the country. While there are two light voting opportunities for these citizens, via mail and through the Serbian Liaison Office in the Republic of Kosovo, any additional demands from Serbia is only a pretext for the country's eventual destabilisation of the region”, Ahmeti said.

The foreign minister said Kosovo, like the Republic, is equal among neighbours in the region, so they should be seen their practices in relation to Serb minorities and with this voting process. Also, as a country aimed at membership in the European Union, Ahemti said it should be seen and the practices of member states which have Serb minorities.

The recognition of one's right should not be done at the expense of another's right. Therefore, these unreasonable demands of Serbia cannot be legitimised by past practices that have violated the country's sovereignty. Serbia through these demands is only aimed at legitimising the eventual destabilisation of the northern Republic of Kosovo and the region of”, Ahmeti concluded.

France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union have asked the Government of Kosovo to allow the Serbian referendum in Kosovo to be held with the OSCE's mediation.