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Published: 16:30, March 18, 2023 | Updated: 18:08, March 18, 2023
Thousands in Belgrade protest against Serbia-Kosovo deal
By Reuters
Published:16:30, March 18, 2023 Updated:18:08, March 18, 2023 By Reuters

People hold a banner reading: "No to capitulation" as they march during a protest against the Serbian authorities and French-German plan for the resolution of Kosovo in Belgrade, Serbia, March 17, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

BELGRADE - Several thousand people gathered in Belgrade to protest against a Western-backed deal to normalize ties between Kosovo and Serbia, which they view as recognition of Kosovo independence.

Serbia's constitution considers Kosovo an integral part of its territory, even though it declared independence in 2008 with US and European Union backing. Bilateral ties need to be mended for Serbia and Kosovo to achieve their strategic goal of joining the EU.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is due to meet Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and EU officials on Saturday in Ohrid, North Macedonia, to discuss implementation of the deal on normalizing ties both parties agreed to last month

Protesters held Serbian flags and banners reading "Kosovo is not for sale," "Serbia, not European Union," and "No to capitulation."

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is due to meet Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and EU officials on Saturday in Ohrid, North Macedonia, to discuss implementation of the deal on normalizing ties both parties agreed to last month.

ALSO READ: EU hopeful Kosovo, Serbia will reach deal this month

"I think the deal implies that we recognise Kosovo, which is not acceptable," said Bogdan, a 26-year old student protestor who declined to give his last name, in an interview.

Protesters in front of Saint Sava Church in Belgrade walked to the presidency building.

"This is just the start of the protest," said Milos Jovanovic, leader of the Democratic Party of Serbia, which was one of the protest organisers.

"It (the deal) is definitely a recognition (of Kosovo), whether you say it explicitly or whether it is implied indirectly it is still recognition and it is not acceptable."

ALSO READ: PM: Kosovo accepts EU's peace deal with Serbia, with caveats

In 1999, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) bombed Serbia in response to the expulsion of majority Albanians by Serb forces in Kosovo.


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