Serbia voices concern about developments in Caucasus

Serbia said on Tuesday it was following with concern the developments in the Caucasus region, where Russia recognized the independence of Georgia's two breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Serbia respects international law and advocates the preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of internationally recognized countries, primarily of Serbia, the Serbian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Serbian officials have repeatedly warned that the unilateral declaration of Kosovo's independence and the recognition of this unlawful act could set a precedent and destabilize other regions in the world, the statement said, adding that such predictions have come true.
Kosovo, the southern Serbian province dominated by ethnic Albanians, declared independence in February this year and has been recognized by the United States and most EU members.
With the strong backing from its traditional ally Russia, Serbia insists that Kosovo's unilateral move was illegal.
Serbia was remarkably quiet in the days following the conflict in South Ossetia that began Aug. 8. The Serbian government headed by Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic only issued a short statement, calling for an end to the conflict through diplomatic means.
"The decision on what to say about Russia, Georgia and South Ossetia was a very complicated one for Belgrade," the Belgrade daily Danas commented recently.
"Ordinary people liked the show of force by Russia. However, that's tough -- if you openly support Russia, you violate the idea of territorial integrity of Georgia," said the reports.