Russia’s Ambassador to Serbia Alexandar Chepurin said on Tuesday that no one can force Serbia to recognize Kosovo.

Speaking at the inauguration of the newly-named village of Putinovo outside the southern Serbian town of Medvedja, Chepurin said that Serbia has a strong international position.

“Serbia’s position is much stronger in international relations and I take my hat off to the Serbian diplomatic service because I see that even the countries which recognized Kosovo are now withdrawing that recognition,” the ambassador said.

He said Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is right when he says that Serbia is now only expected to do one thing – recognize Kosovo. "But, without Serbia's agreement, without Serbia's interest they can do nothing and that is important,” Chepurin said.

The ambassador said that Russia is one of Serbia’s best friends not because someone wants it to be but because that is the reality and the two countries have close strategic interests which they are working intensively to achieve.

See at: http://rs.n1info.com/a422995/English/NEWS/Chepurin-no-one-can-force-recognition-of-Kosovo.html