MFA: Konakovic's decision unconstructive move, we will assess potential consequences

BELGRADE - The Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday evening a decision by Bosnia and Herzegovina FM Elmedin Konakovic to expel two diplomats serving at the Serbian embassy in Sarajevo represented another unconstructive move that was not conducive to good-neighborly relations, regional stability or much-needed lowering of political tensions.

In a statement, the MFA said Serbia would not add to the "spiral of escalation", but that it would assess carefully all legal and political aspects of announced decisions, including the issue of the authority and procedures for making such decisions, as well as their potential consequences for diplomatic relations and the interests of the citizens of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"Especially concerning is the fact that Mr Konakovic continues to resort to escalation and to use extremely grave and painful topics from our shared past as an instrument of day-to-day politics and electoral campaigning. Such issues require responsibility and serious dialogue, rather than political instrumentalisation and unilateral moves that deepen divisions further," the MFA said.

Serbia remains committed to peace, stability and dialogue, in the interest of all its citizens and the entire region, it added.

"Serbia will act in a responsible and measured manner and in line with international law, without allowing the pre-electoral rhetoric of any individual to define the future of the relations of the two neighbouring countries," the statement also said.

Earlier in the day, Konakovic announced he had decided to expel the two Serbian diplomats, as well as that almost the entire staff of Bosnia and Herzegovina's embassy in Belgrade would be withdrawn and that the relations with Serbia would be reduced to the lowest possible level after Sarajevo's ambassador to Belgrade attended the funeral of former Republika Srpska Army chief General Ratko Mladic.