Gusenbauer brushes off Serbian criticism

Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer has rejected Serbia’s criticism for his views on Kosovo independence. Belgrade submitted an official protest following Gusenbauer’s announcement that Austria would be among the first countries to recognize Kosovo independence. Gusenbauer brushes off Serbian criticism The Austrian chancellor said that the reaction was merely part and parcel of the ongoing Serbian election campaign. He reiterated that Austria would not wait for other countries to recognize the province’s independence, but underlined that "as far as Kosovo is concerned, the ball is still in the UN Security Council’s court." Speaking in the town of Hirschwang, where his Social Democratic Party of Austria is holding a conference, Gusenbauer stressed that Austria would monitor the process, and take a decision in a timely manner and "not wait for other countries to act." "Austria once again aspires to redraw borders in Balkans" “Judging by Chancellor Gusebauer’s statement, we may conclude that Austria once again aspires to interfere and redraw borders in the Balkans. However, those days are long gone and cannot be repeated,” read a statement given to Tanjug by Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica’s office. "It is true that superpowers, such as the United States, have announced that they will recognize unilateral independence, but the Austria of today can only state that it will do so under pressure from this super power. That is Austria’s realistic position today," it continued. “Chancellor Gusenbauer’s statement confirms that Austria openly and directly supports the undermining of Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity by changing its internationally recognized borders,” the statement concluded.

Gusenbauer brushes off Serbian criticism

The Austrian chancellor said that the reaction was merely part and parcel of the ongoing Serbian election campaign.

He reiterated that Austria would not wait for other countries to recognize the province’s independence, but underlined that "as far as Kosovo is concerned, the ball is still in the UN Security Council’s court."

Speaking in the town of Hirschwang, where his Social Democratic Party of Austria is holding a conference, Gusenbauer stressed that Austria would monitor the process, and take a decision in a timely manner and "not wait for other countries to act."

"Austria once again aspires to redraw borders in Balkans"

“Judging by Chancellor Gusebauer’s statement, we may conclude that Austria once again aspires to interfere and redraw borders in the Balkans. However, those days are long gone and cannot be repeated,” read a statement given to Tanjug by Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica’s office.

"It is true that superpowers, such as the United States, have announced that they will recognize unilateral independence, but the Austria of today can only state that it will do so under pressure from this super power. That is Austria’s realistic position today," it continued.

“Chancellor Gusenbauer’s statement confirms that Austria openly and directly supports the undermining of Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity by changing its internationally recognized borders,” the statement concluded.