Vuciq: Serbia to apply reciprocity because of Kosovo

We have decided to respect Serbia's friendly countries more. Let's take care of bilateral policy and not cross the reciprocity limits. If someone does not respect our territorial integrity, why respect us as his”, Vuciq said, broadcasts the Balkan Radio Free Europe Service.

Speaking at a media conference in Belgrade, he said Serbia is grateful to countries that have voted Monday against Kosovo's accession to the Council of Europe.

We are especially grateful to Hungary. They [the Hungarians] have proved they are Serbia's biggest friends”, Vuciq said.

He added that Belgrade has known that Kosovo has most of its support in the Council of Europe.

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Belgrade unhappy with Council of Europe vote

The Council of Europe's Council of Ministers decided on April 24th that Kosovo's application for membership in this organisation should be handed over to the Parliamentary Assembly.

The procedures for reviewing Kosovo's application for membership in the Council of Europe, which surrendered from Kosovo since May 2022, were also officially launched.

According to information from Brussels, 33 representatives of the Council of Europe member states voted in favour of the ruling, seven opposed and five abstained.

Vuciq said the Council of Europe's decision on Kosovo has been overvoted and that abstention practically means vote “pro”.

He said Greece's abstention ʹthe EU country that recognises Kosovo's independence was expected and commented on Ukraine's abstention.

There has been disappointment. Serbia has never been restrained from Ukraine's territorial integrity”, Vuciq said.

Serbia has also voted, against Kosovo in the Council of Europe, even though with an agreement on normalising relations with Kosovo, the two countries have pledged they will not prevent each other from integration processes.

The Government of Serbia session, where the first topic of the agenda was Kosovo, was held after extraordinary local elections in northern Kosovo, which were held on April 23rd.

The Serbian list, the largest party of Serbs in Kosovo, did not participate in the elections that took place in Serb majority municipalities: Northern Mitrovica, Zvecan, Zubin Potok and Leposaviq.

Voter turnout was less than 4 percent.

Official Belgrade named this process as <x0m> muse of democracy” and <x2fits of Serbs dissatisfied with the situation there”. /rel