Canak: Serbia Has Practically Recognized Republic of Kosovo

Nenad Canak: Between the Opposition and Government

The president of the League of Social Democrats of Vojvodina, Nenad Canak, stated on Aug. 31 that, by recognizing the Kosovo personal documents, Serbia had practically recognized the Republic of Kosovo and its fundamental sovereignty over that territory.

The decision of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to recognize the Kosovo documents, Canak added, was "a coerced but correct move." Canak told BETA that it was clear already in 1999 that the leadership of the Republic of Serbia would do everything except "admit having recognized the independence of Kosovo."

"The source of tension in the Balkans is hardly sustainable in the long run and it was absolutely clear that a sustainable agreement would be made with Kosovo. Since the Kosovo side insisted on the concept of reciprocity, it was to be expected that Serbia would have to recognize the documents of the Republic of Kosovo," he stated.

He added that Serbia's policy of "sitting on two chairs" now entered a new phase and that it would last. "On the one hand, Serbia has recognized Kosovo without admitting it, and on the other we have the appointment of the Kremlin's darling, Ivica Dacic, to the post of coordinator of security services. The appointment of Dacic is a concession to Russia and the recognition of Kosovo a concession to the West. The policy of 'sitting on two chairs' will continue, but it is good that it would move towards the normalization of relations with Kosovo," Canak said.