Sarajevo's note shows it is not interested in good-neighbourly relations -Serbian MFA

BELGRADE - In a reaction to media reports about a protest note from Bosnia and Herzegovina's foreign ministry, the Serbian MFA said on Thursday it was dismayed by the content and the intent of such a diplomatic demarche, especially in light of recent developments and Sarajevo's actions, and noted that this was yet another confirmation the authors of the note were not interested in good-neighbourly relations.

"It is incredible and deeply concerning that the Sarajevo authorities consider it appropriate to send protest notes to Serbia while officially welcoming Albin Kurti, whose policies and actions are evidently breaching the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia. This act represents flagrant disrespect of Serbia's position on Kosovo-Metohija, a position that is firmly based on international law and underpinned by UNSCR 1244," the MFA said in a statement.

"Receiving Kurti in Sarajevo was not only a one-off insult to Serbia, but also a dangerous precedent undermining regional stability and mutual respect," it said.

"By that act, Sarajevo consciously ignored the legal and legitimate interests of Serbia, putting an additional burden on the relations between our two states," the ministry said, noting that Serbia had consistently shown the highest respect for the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Sarajevo-based Klix.ba internet portal has reported that the Bosnia and Herzegovina foreign ministry, headed by Elmedin Konakovic, had sent a protest note to Serbia over the attendance of top Serbian officials including PM Milos Vucevic and Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic at Republika Srpska Day celebrations in Banjaluka on January 9.