Thaci on Interpol vote: Crime wins, everybody else loses

Thaci on Interpol vote: Crime wins, everybody else loses

Serbia was strongly opposed to Pristina's repreated bid to join this international police organization.

"The vote was secret - but the possibility that the states that recognized Kosovo voted against its membership (in Interpol) is bad news, on the other hand, states that do not recognize Kosovo's independence voted for membership," Thaci said.

He stressed that "Kosovo wants to be a part of the fight against organized crime, but that today's decision of the General Assembly of Interpol has denied it that right."

The Kosovo president sees the possibility of resolving the problems of Kosovo's membership in international organizations in the framework of the dialogue on the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, held with the mediation of the EU.

"We must be in full agreement with the US and the EU to once and for all conclude an agreement with Serbia," he said.

"Wild"

The Kosovo government said on Tuesday it was deeply discontented with the failure to join Interpol, blaming the result at the General Assembly Dubai meeting on "Serbia's wild campaign” against its membership, N1 reported.

"With its wild campaign Serbia once again shows its stand against Kosovo and the idea on normalisation of relations," the broadcaster cited a government press release, that added that "a vote against Kosovos membership was a vote in favour of crimes and criminals, and thus no one should be happy with the decision."

The Kosovo government thanked every country which voted in favor of and those who tried to help Pristina during this important process, adding that "Kosovo would continue to consolidate its institutions and would become an Interpol member soon."