International recognition of Kosovo

Serbia must recognize Kosovo's independence as a condition of joining the European Union, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel has said.

''Kosovo is expected by the end of this year to settle controversial issues with Serbia and reach a historic treaty.'' This is what Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said in an interview with Reuters, quoted by BGNES. 

Pro-Serbian Czechs plan to stage a protest against their country's recognition of Kosovo's independence in Prague on February 16.

Organizers told BIRN that the protest will be held against "the defeat of the international law and the violent attempt to separate Kosovo from Serbia".

In an interview for Belgrade-based daily Politika ahead of his visit to Serbia, Strache said it would be desirable if northern Kosovo had the right to "self-determination or autonomy" - and that it would be wrong to pressure Belgrade to recognize Kosovo.

BELGRADE - For Brussels, Serbia is not a problem in the issue of Kosovo, but a part of the solution, Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Sem Fabrizi told a press conference in Belgrade after the adoption of the EU's new enlargement strategy on Tuesday.

Dacic and his hosts, the South American country's top officials, will discuss "modalities and priority areas for enhancing bilateral cooperation."

Serbian FM set to visit Suriname

Serbia's First Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic will visit Suriname on Saturday, the government has announced.

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said this on Tuesday in Belgrade, in conversation with Israeli Ambassador Alona Fisher-Kamm, the government announced.

According to Zeri and Pristina-based Gazeta, the document to be presented on Tuesday contains "no strategy for Kosovo" and it is mentioned only in the context of the dialogue with Serbia.

BELGRADE - Spain strongly supports Serbia's European integration and its stance on Kosovo is completely clear and based on the non-paper presented by Madrid, the Spanish embassy in Belgrade told Tanjug Thursday.

PRISTINA - Kosovo FM Bedzet Pacoli says he has information Serbia has set aside 300 mln dollars for lobbying in countries that recognise Kosovo to get them to revoke the recognition.

According to RTK, Pacoli is alleging Serbia has recruited a team of twenty experts on diplomacy to visit various countries of the world and lobby against Kosovo.