Balkans

UFA, Russia – A deal to bring Serbia into Russia’s South Stream gas pipeline project was a show of support for Belgrade over Kosovo, Dmitry Medvedev, the man likely to be elected Russia’s new president, said on Tuesday.

BELGRADE – Serbia intends to rule parts of Kosovo where “loyal citizens” still look to Belgrade for government, Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said on Monday.

BELGRADE – Russia’s likely next president, Dmitry Medvedev, told Serbian leaders on Monday there would be no shift in his country’s support for Serbian sovereignty over Kosovo.

Pieter Feith confirmed on Saturday his mission had moved its staff from the Serb stronghold of north Mitrovica. An international official told Reuters on Friday the small EU team had been relocated a week ago due to security concerns.

Mobs stormed the U.S. embassy on Thursday and set it on fire and other diplomatic missions were stoned after a mostly peaceful mass protests against the former Serbian province’s declaration of independence.

BELGRADE – The European Union told Serbia on Friday to protect embassies after attacks over Western support for Kosovo’s secession, and suggested such violence could harm its prospects of closer ties with the bloc.

BELGRADE – The U.S. embassy in Serbia ordered on Friday the departure of support staff and dependents of diplomats after a mob attacked the mission the day before, a spokeswoman said.

The parliament of the Serb Republic adopted a resolution late on Thursday branding Kosovo’s declaration of independence an illegal act that violated Serbia’s territorial integrity.

ZAGREB – Croatian police have arrested 44 people who burned the Serbian flag in Zagreb’s main square after Serb protesters attacked the Croatian embassy in Belgrade during a rally against Kosovo’s independence.

BRDO, Slovenia – European Union officials called on Serbia on Friday to do more to protect foreign embassies targeted in protests against Kosovo’s secession, warning the violence could have an impact on EU-Serbian ties.