NGO withdraws invitation sent to Thaci

(Tanjug, file)

NGO withdraws invitation sent to Thaci

BELGRADE -- A Belgrade-based NGO has withdrawn the invitation sent to the Kosovo Foreign Minister Hashim Thaci for participation in a conference they organize on April 24.

Thaci was to take part in the event organized by the Youth Education Committee.

The decision to withdraw the invitation came the same day as the Serbian authorities officially announced that if he arrived in Belgrade, Thaci would be arrested.

The NGO issued a statement late on Monday claiming their decision was made under pressure and threats they received in the previous days, and which they said they "took very seriously." The organization added they were confident the competent institutions will do their job responsibly and will act according to the filed criminal charges.

The NGO also said they "understood it is too early for this kind of meeting," while regretting "the missed opportunity to send a strong message about the need for countries in the region cooperate firmly on the path of European integration."

The idea of ??this program was, as stated, "to encourage multi-perspective approach to discussions on topics that are of fundamental importance for all the countries of the Western Balkans."

The invitations sent to foreign ministers of Serbia, Bosnia and Macedonia have also been withdrawn, and this decision was taken "after several-hour long consultations," considering that "the negative campaign and the connotation that the conference gained" stood in contrast with their work and program.

The NGO also announced that the conference itself would go ahead.

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