Zeman: We have not derecognised Kosovo, but we never sent ambassador to Pristina

BELGRADE - Czech President Milos Zeman said on Monday in Belgrade he had tried to get his country to derecognise Kosovo and that the attempt had been unsuccessful, but that neither he nor his predecessor had consented to Prague sending an ambassador to Pristina.

"I tried to get the Czech Republic to derecognise Kosovo. I would like to remind you that the Czech parliament had called on the Czech government not to recognise Kosovo," Zeman told reporters at a joint press conference with Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic.

Unfortunately, the political situation changed, he said.

"That is democracy, the forces that recognised Kosovo won, and I am not a dictator, but a democratically elected president," he said.

Zeman recalled that neither he nor his predecessor Vaclav Havel had consented to sending an ambassador to Pristina.

He also said he was very appreciative of the fact he would posthumously be honoured with a street in Belgrade and added that he was proud to have received Serbia's highest state honours.

He said Vucic, too, had received the Order of the White Lion, the top state honour in the Czech Republic.

"We discussed bilateral cooperation, we have a successful business exchange, as well as international cooperation. I would like to remind you that, about two years ago, during Vucic's visit to Prague, I said I apologise for the Czech Republic's consent to the bombing of Serbia. I asked to be forgiven for having done that only once in my life. I deliberately said that in Prague because, had I said that in Belgrade, it would have looked different," Zeman said.

"I appreciate the fact Serbia has condemned the Russian aggression on Ukraine, because no country can be allowed to attack its neighbour for no reason," he said.

He also congratulated Serbia on its successful economic results, including its budget surplus.

Zeman thanked the Serbs for the friendship they showed to Czech refugees in 1938 and 1968.

"I am firmly convinced that the friendship will be continued," he said.