Togo: Definitive withdrawal of the recognition of Kosovo

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Togo, Robert Dussey, said today that he had assured the head of the Serbian diplomacy, Ivica Dacic of the unreserved support of the Republic of Togo when it came to the defense of the territorial integrity of Serbia, RTV reports.

"We in Togo recognize only one Serbia, a unique one. I am glad that you mentioned the withdrawal of recognition of Kosovo, that withdrawal is definitive," Dussey said at a joint press conference with Dacic at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He also said that 54 African countries made up one-third of the United Nations, noting that Serbian diplomacy had left Africa at one point, but that the current head of diplomacy, Ivica Dacic, had returned cooperation, for which he thanked him.

"I am asking you, and you are doing it well, not to leave Africa. I thank you for that," Dussey said.

Today, Dacic and Dussey signed the Agreement on the abolition of visas for holders of diplomatic passports.

"We want stronger cooperation in several sectors, from education to the economy; to have greater trade exchange. We would also like to strengthen cooperation in the fields of tourism and agriculture," Dussey said.

Dacic said that he had had a large number of meetings and conversations with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Togo in different places, including his visit in May 2019.

"Serbia, that is, the former Yugoslavia and Togo are bound by a traditional friendship that may have been forgotten in some moments. We want to restore and strengthen that cooperation and friendship," Dacic said.

He added that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Togo would meet with President Aleksandar Vucic and Prime Minister Ana Brnabic today.

As he pointed out, there was a lot of room for improving relations between the two countries, stressing that Serbia had to nurture old friendships and seek common interests with those countries in the world where the situation today was not easy.

"Serbia is committed to the development of relations with African countries," Dacic said and recalled that, after his visit, Togo had decided to withdraw its decision to recognize Kosovo.

Dacic thanked him for that and pointed out that 27 countries had withdrawn their recognition of the so-called Kosovo, which opened up a chance for agreements and dialogue.

"Those who want an independent Kosovo want to do it with a shortcut or by overvoting on certain forums. We prevented that and brought the dialogue back to the stage," Dacic said.