Serbian Minister for Kosovo-Metohija Goran Bogdanovic said on Thursday that the referendum in northern Kosovo with the question “do you accept Kosovo's institutions” was unnecessary, adding it constitutes an abuse of the people's will by certain political parties.

“The referendum has shown what we have already expected - that the people in Kosovo do not want Kosovo's institutions, but what is the most important thing is that it is an example of the abuse of the people's will by certain political parties,” Bogdanovic told Tanjug.

Bogdanovic expressed belief that we will witness continued pressure on Serbia in relation to Kosovo-Metohija. He also voiced expectation that Pristina's authorities and the part of the international community which recognizes the independence of
Kosovo-Metohija will try to take advantage of the lack of unity between Kosovo Serbs and the Serbian government, and further influence the situation in the province.

The referendum, which was held on Tuesday and Wednesday in four north Kosovo municipalities, will not affect the resumption of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, although those who initiated the referendum wanted to achieve just that, he said.

“Moreover, the referendum will not affect our candidacy and EU integration, although it was organized with a view to making Serbia's position more difficult,” the minister noted.

Bogdanovic said that it is evident that organizers of the referendum wanted to further erode the already difficult position of both Kosovo Serbs and the Republic of Serbia.