The fifth round table, within the internal dialogue on Kosovo in Serbia, was held yesterday this time with athletes, representatives of the sports associations and university institutions, Serbian media reported.

So far, the conduct of Serbian athletes at competitions involving the Kosovo sports persons was determined by the government’s recommendation, now it was asked that the recommendation to turn into a binding instruction.

Encounters between Serbian and Kosovo teams have become inevitable since Kosovo became a member of FIFA, UEFA, FIBA, the International Olympic Committee, but also of the global and European volleyball and handball organizations.
President of the Volleyball Federation of Serbia Zoran Gajic said everything was done so that Serbia and Kosovo were not placed in the same group at competitions. “Well, even if it comes to the quarter finals or semi-finals, let us avoid these encounters because of the national anthems, winner’s podium etc.”, he said.

President of the Basketball Federation of Serbia Predrag Danilovic also confirmed that such encounters were avoided. “We have excellent contacts in FIBA, and we are working on avoiding such possible encounters”, he said.

However, what if a draw decides that Serbian juniors should have a handball match with Kosovo at home? I expect that with approval of the government and competent ministry we should decide whether we will play such a tournament or not, the president of the Handball Federation Bozidar Djurkovic said.

Minister of Sports Vanja Udovicic said to the representatives of sports organizations that a new recommendation of the Serbian government would reveal what they should do, but he could not specify when this would happen or what the recommendation would say.

Director of the Serbian government’s Office for Kosovo Marko Djuric said that this subject should be covered and resolved by a recommendation. “And this will also take into account the stands that we heard today from the presidents of sports federations”, he said.

Secretary General of Serbian President Nikola Selakovic said they would continue with organizations of round tables. “The time will come when the line will be drawn, everything weighed and certain conclusions made”, Selakovic said.

The internal dialogue on Kosovo was initiated by President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic and several round tables have been organized so far on this subject – professors of the faculties of law gave their opinion about it as well as scientific workers, and representatives of the economy.