Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia strongly condemns the decision of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to recognize the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo, which constitutes a grave and deliberate violation of the international legal order founded on the Charter of the United Nations—particularly in the year marking the 80th anniversary of its adoption.

Such actions represent a dangerous precedent and directly contribute to the further erosion of the fundamental principles of international public law, above all the principle of respect for the territorial integrity of United Nations Member States.

Activities directed against sovereign states undermine confidence in the international system and lead to its further destabilization and erosion.

The decision of the authorities of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas is particularly unconstructive in the context of the Belgrade–Pristina dialogue, as it constitutes a unilateral move that directly jeopardizes the dialogue.

The Republic of Serbia will not accept attempts to impose faits accomplis, nor the legitimization of unilateral acts that are contrary to international law and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244. Serbia will continue, resolutely and on principle, to defend its state and national interests by all available diplomatic and political means.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia calls on the authorities of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to reconsider their decision and to return to respect for the universal principles of international law, which form the foundation of stability and peace in international relations.