Serbia's government says it will formally protest remarks Turkey's prime minister made during a visit to Kosovo this week.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a cheering crowd in Kosovo on October 23 that "Turkey is Kosovo and Kosovo is Turkey," emphasizing the two nations' shared history and culture.
He was accompanied by his counterparts in Kosovo and Albania, Hashim Thaci and Edi Rama.
A Serbian government statement said on October 25 that Erdogan's comments represent "a severe violation of international law and interference in Serbia's internal affairs."
It said they "harm relations between Belgrade and Ankara and disturb efforts deployed by Serbia to normalize the situation in the region, notably in Kosovo."
Kosovo broke away from Serbia in 2008 but Belgrade refuses to recognize its independence.
Turkey was among the first countries to recognize Kosovo's independence.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a cheering crowd in Kosovo on October 23 that "Turkey is Kosovo and Kosovo is Turkey," emphasizing the two nations' shared history and culture.
He was accompanied by his counterparts in Kosovo and Albania, Hashim Thaci and Edi Rama.
A Serbian government statement said on October 25 that Erdogan's comments represent "a severe violation of international law and interference in Serbia's internal affairs."
It said they "harm relations between Belgrade and Ankara and disturb efforts deployed by Serbia to normalize the situation in the region, notably in Kosovo."
Kosovo broke away from Serbia in 2008 but Belgrade refuses to recognize its independence.
Turkey was among the first countries to recognize Kosovo's independence.
