Dacic: Roth's words "inappropriate and insulting"

BELGRADE - Commenting on a statement by Michael Roth, Minister of State for Europe at Germany's Foreign Office, that Germany supported Serbia if it was resolved to become a part of the EU rather than Russia, FM Ivica Dacic said he did not understand it.

"Serbia and Russia are traditional friends, but when did Serbia express an intent to be a part of Russia?" he asked.

Noting that he is very satisfied with the development of bilateral relations with Germany, Dacic said Monday Roth's words were "inappropriate and insulting, to say the least."

For Serbia, joining the anti-Russian sanctions is not just a matter of aligning our foreign policy with the EU but a vital issue as Russia is "opposing a recognition of Kosovo's independence in the UN while, outside the Brussels dialogue, Western countries are doing everything to make all others recognise Kosovo," he said.