World press reacts to Kosovo recognition

World agencies believe that Montenegro’s decision to recognize Kosovo is a blow to Belgrade’s efforts to counter the secession of the province. Reuters reports that Montenegro’s decision to recognize Kosovo comes a day after the UN General Assembly supported Serbia's initiative to seek the International Court of Justice’s opinion on the legality of Kosovo’s independence declaration. World press reacts to Kosovo recognition Russian ambassador to Belgrade Aleksandar Konuzin told Reuters that Montenegro and Macedonia were under “strong foreign pressure to recognize so-called Kosovo independence.” "Montenegro and Macedonia are being blackmailed by certain states which are threatening to make problems for their European integration," Konuzin told Reuters. One western diplomat denied that the West had forced these countries to recognize Kosovo in order to undermine Belgrade’s efforts. "We encouraged them to do so, but no date was chosen,” the official said, adding that he would not be surprised if others drew the conclusion that “the puppet masters, the Americans, had done it again.” Associated Press reports that Montenegro decided to recognize Kosovo in spite of strong opposition from its “traditional ally” Serbia and warnings from within that it might provoke instability in the Balkans. AP says that Montenegro’s decision will almost certainly lead to tensions in its relations with Serbia, adding that the decision represents a big blow to Serbia’s diplomatic efforts to keep its breakaway province. AFP reports that Podgorica’s decision to recognize Kosovo will carry significant resonance in Belgrade, especially because Serbia and Montenegro have always had strong historical, cultural and religious ties.

World press reacts to Kosovo recognition

Russian ambassador to Belgrade Aleksandar Konuzin told Reuters that Montenegro and Macedonia were under “strong foreign pressure to recognize so-called Kosovo independence.”

"Montenegro and Macedonia are being blackmailed by certain states which are threatening to make problems for their European integration," Konuzin told Reuters.

One western diplomat denied that the West had forced these countries to recognize Kosovo in order to undermine Belgrade’s efforts.

"We encouraged them to do so, but no date was chosen,” the official said, adding that he would not be surprised if others drew the conclusion that “the puppet masters, the Americans, had done it again.”

Associated Press reports that Montenegro decided to recognize Kosovo in spite of strong opposition from its “traditional ally” Serbia and warnings from within that it might provoke instability in the Balkans.

AP says that Montenegro’s decision will almost certainly lead to tensions in its relations with Serbia, adding that the decision represents a big blow to Serbia’s diplomatic efforts to keep its breakaway province.

AFP reports that Podgorica’s decision to recognize Kosovo will carry significant resonance in Belgrade, especially because Serbia and Montenegro have always had strong historical, cultural and religious ties.