Serbia surprised after neighbors recognize Kosova

TIRANA, Oct 12 – Serbia was angry last weekend after the decision of two of its neighbors to recognize Kosova’s independence.
Belgrade said that was prompted by Western pressure and considered it a blow to regional stability.
Both Macedonia and Montenegro _ until 2006 part of a joint state with Serbia _ recognized Kosova as an independent country, a move that was a serious setback for Serbian diplomatic efforts to maintain a claim over the fledgling state considered by many Serbs to be the cradle of their Orthodox Christian religion and statehood.
Serbian President Boris Tadic said Thursday’s decision was “deeply wrong, contrary to international law and does not contribute to regional stability and good neighborly relations.”
Belgrade expelled their ambassadors in Belgrade, in the harshest response against any of the countries that have established diplomatic ties with Kosova.
Later the parliament decided to act diplomatically against them but not to cut the economic ties with both countries.
The announcements by Montenegro and Macedonia came a day after Serbia scored a diplomatic victory at the U.N. General Assembly. The assembly supported Belgrade’s bid to question the legality of Kosova independence at the U.N.’s highest judicial body, the International Court of Justice.
Kosova’s Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said the decisions were not aimed at harming Serbia and would add to efforts to bring “peace and stability” and help integrate the region into the European Union and NATO.
In Podgorica, Montenegro’s Foreign Minster Milan Rocen described Serbia’s decision to expel its ambassador as “hasty.”
Tirana, on its part, welcomed Montenegro and Macedonia’s official recognition of Kosova and praised the move as a sign of stability in the region.
Albanian Foreign Ministry hailed the decision and considered that as an important and responsible step at the proper time.
Both countries, Macedonia and Montenegro, have sizeable ethnic Albanian minorities.
Kosova has been recognized by 50 countries since its declaration of independence Feb. 17.