We appeal to our statesmen to never consent to the alienation of Kosovo and Metohija, since what is taken by force can be returned, while what is given away as a gift is lost forever, and Serbs and Serbia must not allow that to happen. The Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) sincerely hopes that the problem created firstly by an armed uprising of Albanian separatists, and then by the occupation of our southern province would be resolved peacefully based on justice and law principles.

As the EU Rule-of-Law Mission in Kosovo, EULEX, enters the final month of its mandate, the Pristina authorities said they will allow another mission, but with a scaled-down monitoring and advisory role.

Foreign policy commentator Bosko Jaksic and Chair of the Centre for Strategic Alternatives Aleksandar Mitic told TV N1 that Russia is in favour of maintaining “status quo” in Kosovo.

Belgrade-based daily Vecernje Novosti writes today that Sofia is carefully polishing the format of forthcoming Sofia Summit, in order not to hurt sensibility of states which have not recognized unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo.

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said on Thursday that he would continue his efforts to convince other countries to withdraw their recognition of Kosovo.

European Parliament Rapporteur for Serbia, David McAllister said that the latest report on Serbia’s progress to the EU rightly places Serbia as one of the leading countries in the process of enlargement, Tanjug news agency reported.