Serbia's Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said on Friday that a number of African countries had denied the claims by media in Pristina that said they had decided to recognize the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo or had already done so.

"In the Central African Republic, for example, a great deal of money was given to get the recognition, but money does not always get you what you desire. You cannot buy everything with money, and in the case of the Central African Republic, that has been confirmed," Jeremic told Tanjug after a three-day visit to Ethiopia.

Jeremic, who had around 40 bilateral meetings during a session of the Executive Council of the African Union, stated that the foreign ministers of Nigeria and South Africa had said their countries would not recognize Kosovo.

"The press in Pristina reported they too could change their view. We received confirmation that they do not recognize Kosovo and have no intention of doing so. We can say that the most influential countries in Africa have stayed true to the principles of international law and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations," Jeremic remarked.

According to him, Ethiopia's view, as one of the continent's key countries and the seat of the African Union, remains firm.
"The relations with Ethiopia are strong and friendly. Ethiopia respects Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and will do so in the future as well," he stressed.