Serbian Diplomats Summoned From Macedonia Amid 'Anti-Serbian Activities' - Vucic

Serbian President Alexandar Vucic said Monday that the staff of the Serbian embassy in Skopje were called to Belgrade for consultations as "evidence of activities" against Serbia has been obtained.

BELGRADE (Sputnik) — On Sunday, Serbia withdrew all its diplomats from Macedonia. The Macedonian Foreign Ministry said it had no explanation in connection with the withdrawal, while the Macedonian Interior Ministry increased security around the empty diplomatic mission.

"Sufficient evidence of activities against authorities and institutions of the Republic of Serbia has been obtained… It's our job to prepare our staff. There will be changes among our employees to protect our friendly relations with Macedonians, and to determine our behavior in such an environment," Vucic said as quoted by the Tanjug news agency.

Vucic also pointed at the intervention of "external forces," adding that this is not coming from Russia.

The Serbian president added that Belgrade would continue to maintain close relations with Skopje.

Serbian-Macedonian relations have grown tense amid reports of Macedonia's plan to vote in favor of the self-proclaimed Republic of Kosovo's bid to join UNESCO.