Serbia has refused to recognize Kosovo as an independent state in exchange for membership in the European Union, President Boris Tadic said at the Dechani Monastery in Western Kosovo, DPA reports.
Serbia plans to take back the region that broke away 4 years ago. Tadic refused to remove Serbian institutions in Northern Kosovo, because it would force ethnic Serbians to leave the area. Belgrade provides 300 million euros for the local authorities annually. He urged them to protect their churches, faith and national identity. Kosovo Albanians threw stones at the president’s convoy.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is especially active in promoting the independence of Kosovo. She offered Belgrade an opportunity to become an EU member in August 2010. EU states postponed giving Serbia the opportunity until March 2012, hoping that progress would be achieved by that time.
