Diplomatic tension rises between Macedonia, Serbia

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SKOPJE, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Macedonia and Serbia are facing with a new diplomatic spat following Serbia's Sunday decision to abruptly withdraw the entire diplomatic staff from its embassy in Macedonia's capital, Skopje.

The Macedonian Foreign Ministry reported that it had received a diplomatic note from the embassy of Serbia, in which it stated that the embassy's personnel had been summoned for consultations in Belgrade.

Such a decision has created a tense situation as it was an unexpected move, analysts said.

It is taking place at a moment when Macedonia's new government is seeking to establish good relations with all neighboring countries and push ahead with its European Union and NATO agendas.

The Macedonian government voiced its commitment to promoting friendly relations with all neighboring countries. It also said in a press statement that it was set to take vigorous steps towards settling problems and developing a good-neighborly relationship with Serbia.

Serbian ambassador to Skopje, Dusanka Divjak-Tomic, told media that she had demanded more security measures around the embassy, under the Vienna Convention for diplomatic relations.

Soon after the statement, the Macedonian Interior Ministry said that it had boosted security around the Serbian embassy.

The Macedonian Foreign Ministry said it "has not been informed about the motives of this decision, but communication has been established with the Serb Foreign Ministry to learn the reasons for this action."

"On the other hand, under the Vienna Convention for diplomatic relations, the institutions of the country have taken adequate measures to guarantee the security of the Serbian embassy," the Macedonian Foreign Ministry said.

Macedonia and Serbia have generally had good relations but they have had their ups and downs over the years since 1996 when the two countries established diplomatic relations. Enditem

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