Serbia's reaction to the possible admission of Kosovo to the Council of Europe will be strong and responsible, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said in an address on March 29.
Vucic declined to say exactly what Serbia's reaction will be but said Belgrade remains willing to negotiate.
"We will continue to talk. I am ready to listen to the opinion of the Assembly and the government. We will prepare and wait," said Vucic.
Vucic on March 28 rejected assessments that Serbia is abandoning its European path after announcing a possible exit from the Council of Europe if that organization accepts Kosovo, a former province of Serbia whose independence Belgrade does not recognize.
In his speech, he assessed that a European initiative to bring Kosovo into the Council of Europe comes without conditions for Pristina, he said.
"Even though the European sanctions against Kosovo are formally in force due to non-implementation of the [Brussels] Agreement, in the past year Pristina has participated in all Western international forums," said Vucic.
Vucic was referring to a 2013 deal struck by the country in Brussels to normalize relations some five years after Kosovo declared independence from Serbia, especially a commitment to establish an association of Serb municipalities to represent the majority-Serb communities.
Vucic announced on March 22 that Serbia will leave the Council of Europe after more than 20 years of membership if Kosovo is admitted.
His idea was supported by former Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, who is now the speaker of the parliament.
"Admission of Kosovo to the Council of Europe would violate the statute of that institution and jeopardize its role in the protection of human rights and the rule of law," said Ana Brnabic.
The Council of Europe, an independent European organization, was founded in London in 1949 and deals with the protection of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.
There are 46 member countries, including the 27 states of the European Union. The members are signatories to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights.