Serbia recalls ambassador from Montenegro over Kosovo

Official Belgrade has also sent a demarche to the neighboring Montenegro over its decision to establish diplomatic relations with the temporary self-government institutions in Kosovo, a statement from the Foreign Ministry said today.

Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic ordered the top Serbian diplomatic envoy to this country to be urgently recalled to Belgrade for consultations.

The statement added that Podgorica's decision today infringed on the regional stability and made more difficult the establishment of best possible relations between the neighboring countries, which the government in Belgrade had set as its priority.

"It was with regret that we concluded that despite the amicable and balanced statements that were coming from Podgorica in the past weeks - and I mean, above all, the statements from Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic - that the government of Milo Djukanovic had decided to establish diplomatic relations with the illegal, secessionist authorities in Kosovo," Jeremic said.

He added that today's decision made by the Montenegrin government cannot pass without consequences, and that it will be meet with Serbia's "clear and resolute answer".

"Serbia was forced to respond to Podgorica in a sharp diplomatic manner. We sent an exceptionally strong diplomatic protests today, and Serbia's Ambassador in Podgorica Zoran Lutovac has been ordered to urgently return to Belgrade for consultations," the minister continued.

Jeremic also said that he will discuss the current situation with the ambassador in the coming days, and possible future measures to be undertaken.

Meanwhile, the Serbian MoD announced today in Belgrade that a planned visit to Serbia by Montenegro's Defense Minister Boro Vucic was canceled.