Togo to withdraw its decision to recognize Kosovo

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Togo's decision to withdraw recognition of Kosovo's independence is final, said the nation's Foreign Minister Robert Dussey on Monday.

Dussey's remarks came at a press conference with his Serbian counterpart, Ivica Dacic, after a meeting in Serbia's capital Belgrade.

"The decision to withdraw recognition of Kosovo is final. We want stronger relations in many fields from education to economy. We would like to increase cooperation in tourism and agriculture," said Dussey.

Dussey added that his country guarantees unconditional support to Serbia when it comes to defending Serbia's territorial integrity.

Dacic, for his part, said that Serbia and Togo are connected by a traditional friendship.

"We want to re-establish and strengthen this cooperation and friendship," said Dacic.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on social media that Serbia appreciates Togo's support for Serbia's territorial integrity.

"We are bound by a traditional and sincere friendship based on mutual respect and understanding. First of all, it is up to us to continue to further strengthen these relations by expanding cooperation around mutual interests," said Vucic.

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said that there are significant opportunities for cooperation with Togo in the fields of economy, trade, education, culture, sports and information technologies.

Togo recognized Kosovo's independence on July 2, 2014.

In January, Vucic said that nine countries have withdrawn their recognition of Kosovo's independence.

Kosovo, predominantly inhabited by Albanians, broke away from Serbia in 1999 and declared independence in 2008. It aspires to EU membership and aims to gain a visa-free regime for the EU zone. But Serbia has not recognized Kosovo’s independence and sees its former province as its territory.

Kosovo is also not a member of NATO or the UN.

Serbia objects to Kosovo's application to international organizations, claiming that the move violates the Washington Treaty, Brussels Treaty and UN Security Council Resolution 1244.