Belgrade could become a ‘pariah’ over Kosovo, Serbian president warns

Kosovo has indicated its willingness to form an association of five Serb-majority municipalities in the north of the country to unblock talks with Belgrade.

Critics say it could give Serbia a permanent hand in Kosovo’s politics, but it is an important part of a 2013 Western-backed deal to eventually normalize relations between the two countries.

While a majority of EU member states recognize Kosovo as a sovereign nation, Serbia refuses to do so, still officially insisting it is part of their territory.

Serbian President Aleksander Vucic has urged lawmakers in Belgrade to accept the diplomatic moves, warning that the nation would face dire consequences if they fail to do so.

“Would we become a European pariah? Yes, we would. Completely isolated, nobody wanted to talk to us. We wouldn’t have access to funds, in the modern world alone you can’t function.”

However, Serbian nationalists find any move to recognize Kosovo’s independence unacceptable and expressed their anger to Vucic in parliament.

Several dozen people also demonstrated in Belgrade against any political arrangement with Pristina.