Possible Kosovo membership in the UNESCO would not change the status of the Serbian cultural heritage which is located in that area, because legally it is ownership of the Serbian Orthodox Church. But Serbia would then have to initiate diplomatic struggle, in order to certify the precise formulation of the orthodox cultural heritage in that territory, referring to it as Serbian, said Darko Tanaskovic, Serbian Ambassador to UNESCO.
The official Belgrade already started diplomatic fight trying to convince the member of UNESCO not to vote for Pristina’s request. Tanaskovic stated that in case Kosovo receives sufficient number of votes there are no legal obstacles to be admitted in this organization.
Vladislav Jovanovic, former Ambassador to the UN stated that since Serbia is facing this situation, it should direct its arguments towards the countries that are declared as our friends, and recognized Kosovo independence. He said that letter which Ivica Dacic sent to the UN Secretary General is a good move: “The decency oblige the UN Secretary General to reply to Dacic’s letter. That answer will pave the way of further Serbia’s actions and way of diplomatic fight,” said Jovanovic.
One of the possible diplomatic weapons of Serbia to prevent the entry of Kosovo in UNESCO could be also “tactical standstill” in the EU negotiating process. “I don’t mean total discontinuation of the contacts with Brussels, but temporary. Within that time we would have “free hands” when it comes to Kosovo. Wish to join the EU should not be the higher goal than other political interests, as it is Kosovo. Kosovo’s entry in International Olympic Committee and possible entry in UNESCO are paving the way towards the UN membership, which is the tactic of the countries that are supporting its independence,” stressed Jovanovic.
