Head of the Serbian Foreign Service Ivan Mrkic says for Novosti: "Inviting Thaci to the Pope's enthronement means no change in the Vatican's position."
The Holy See won't recognize Kosovo's independence! This was affirmed in an interview to your Correspondent by Serbian Foreign Minister Ivan Mrkic. Head of the Serbian Foreign Service even added that the possibility had not been ruled out that some of the countries which had recognized Kosovo as an independent state would reverse their decisions.

Q. How do you then look upon Thaci being present at the Pope Francis inauguration?
- Pope's inaugural ceremony is, in a way, an event which goes beyond politics. Like all other guests attending the ceremony, who were in the thousands, Thaci too was well received. This can probably be explained by the very nature of the event and the general messages related to Christianity.

Q. Has his presence there, nevertheless, anything to do with the hint at Kosovo's recognition? The Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, in his congratulatory message on the occasion of the Pontiff's election, has already asked him not to alter the previous position, hasn't he?
- We have received strong assurances that there will be no change of the Vatican's position on that issue. There will be neither recognition nor a prelude to recognition. These were the assurances given to us by the officials of the Holy See.

Q. What is Serbia now doing to prevent further recognitions of Kosovo?
- This is on the agenda of our daily activities. An entire diplomatic machinery has been set in motion and working around the clock in all parts of the world to stop it in its tracks. Naturally, we stand by our position. We keep posted and explain, on a daily basis, what is going on to those backing us.

Q. To what extent can possible further recognitions affect the conduct of the dialogue?
- Any acceleration of the recognitions will surely badly affect the negotiations. If an agreement is reached in the dialogue at all, we feel that the country should not change its position of principle. Serbia does not, and will never recognize Kosovo's independence. It goes without saying that it is quite normal that every one else should follow suit.

Q. On what grounds do you believe the countries which have recognized Kosovo as an independent state might reverse their decisions?
- Some of them have already done so. Sao Tome and Principe has cancelled its decision on the recognition of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence. Mali figured for a long time on all websites among the countries which have recognized Kosovo until their President wrote a letter to the public saying that this was untrue. It is not out of the question at all that new reversals of Kosovo's recognition will follow.

I'VE NO THOUGHTS ABOUT CABINET RESHUFFLE

Q. Does talk of a Cabinet reshuffle have an effect on you?
- This is something that is entirely out of my spheres of interest and responsibilities. It is common knowledge that I have been appointed at the proposal of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). But, I don't belong to any political party. And I am entirely at the disposal of our state leadership. They will do as they deem it necessary. I don't bother about the Cabinet reshuffle one little bit: I have no say in it and I'm too busy to have thoughts of this kind. I'm doing my job the best I can.