Serbia does not change, thanks Iran for not recognizing Kosovo
Serbia is not stopping the anti-Kosovo campaign. On Thursday, Serbian Prime Minister Gjuro Macut thanked the Iranian ambassador to Serbia, Sadegh Fazli, for Iran's stance on non-recognition of Kosovo.
In a press release from the Serbian Government, it was stated that Macut assessed relations with Iran at the highest level and emphasized that "Serbia is grateful that Iran does not recognize the self-proclaimed independence of 'Kosovo'."
Macut and Fazli said that the two countries aim to increase cooperation in several sectors.
Serbia was criticized a few days ago in the discussions of the Subcommittee on Europe in the United States House of Representatives. It was also criticized for serving Russian interests in the region. The Republican chairman of this subcommittee, Keith Self, expressed his hope that Serbia will finally recognize the sovereignty of Kosovo, after the elections on December 28. Edward P. Joseph, a lecturer at Johns Hopkins University in the US and an expert on conflict management, has also said that although no single actor is fully responsible for the ongoing tensions and weaknesses in the Western Balkans, “Serbia must accept the Western order for the region.”
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He said that the time has come for the US to be more determined in guiding Belgrade towards a final strategic choice, adding that the Euro-Atlantic path is the only rational choice for Serbia, which, according to him, should not become the Belarus of the Balkans.
Joseph accused the US administration of an unbalanced stance on Kosovo-Serbia relations. He said that only Kosovo is being held responsible, as he recalled the terrorist attack in Banjska.
Joseph said that the US should continue its economic and military support for Kosovo. But, according to him, the best help would be Kosovo's membership in NATO. He said that Kosovo's membership in NATO would solve the impasse. According to him, this would even weaken the campaign of non-recognition by Serbia.
"Only the path to NATO would end the impasse, because Serbia would have no other options. The campaign of non-recognition and dependence on Russia and China would be worthless because NATO membership is much more important than UN membership," he said.
In addition to Joseph, Max Primorac, a fellow at the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom, for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, said that Kosovo should be supported by the US. He praised Kosovo for its pro-Western approach while saying that it has also moved the embassy to Jerusalem, as promised to Trump.
"Any agreement with Serbia must also include recognition. But President Trump must expand the reach of agreements in the Balkans with a focus on energy and trade. But in order for these agreements to be implemented, the current administration must appoint new ambassadors there as soon as possible," Primorac said.
Luke Coffey from the Hudson Institute has also called for Serbia to be removed from Russia's orbit.
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Self: After the elections, Serbia should recognize Kosovo's sovereignty
All three said the US should pressure Serbia to stop blocking Kosovo's accession to international organizations. They also said Serbia is unfairly neutralizing the addresses of Albanians in the Valley and violating the right of the Albanian language in Serbian institutions.
Kosovo is recognized by 120 countries. The last recognition came at the end of October from Syria.
