The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, in line with the decision adopted at today's session of the Serbian Government, addressed a Verbal Note to the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Belgrade, conveying that Serbia perceived the decision to ban entry into the Republic of Croatia to Minister of Defence of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vulin as a measure directly aiming to deteriorate mutual relations, which was also contrary to the spirit of good-neighbourly cooperation and mutual exercise of restraint from provocative statements and activities.

"The Republic of Serbia remains committed to the promotion of good-neighbourly relations with all its neighbours, including the Republic of Croatia, as well as to the respect for fundamental European values which most certainly include free movement of persons.

For these very reasons, it is absolutely incomprehensible that the Republic of Croatia, as an EU Member State, was able to limit this freedom by not allowing citizens of the Republic of Serbia and its top officials to move freely. For this reason, the Government of the Republic of Serbia has decided to declare Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the Republic of Croatia Damir Krsticevic persona non-grata in the Republic of Serbia, effective until further notice", states the Verbal Note.