Kosovo More Important Neighbor for Macedonia, Montenegro Than Serbia - PM

The nearest Serbia's neighbors Macedonia and Montenegro have shown, by voting in favor of Kosovo's accession to UNESCO, that Pristina is more important for them than Belgrade, Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said Monday.

BELGRADE (Sputnik) — On Monday, on the request of Kosovo, the vote on its admission to UNESCO had been conducted. However, it failed to gain the required majority of votes to join the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture.

"Concerning Macedonia and Montenegro, we thank them for it. We will be able to respect it. We want good relations with everyone, and we will be able to respect the thing they have done — they have shown that Pristina is more important for them than Serbia," Vucic said.

According to Vucic, the neighbors acted contrary to the Belgrade's expectations.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and is recognized by 108 UN member states. Belgrade considers Kosovo to be part of its territory.