Diplomatic representatives of some of the countries that Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić claimed had withdrawn their recognition of Kosovo have pledged to deepen relations. These pledges were made by diplomats from 6 of the 9 countries (Somalia, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Eswatini, Libya, Guinea, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia and the Maldives) that Vučić, on the evening of January 4, in his annual presentation to present Serbia's achievements, said had withdrawn their recognition of Kosovo's independence.
Diplomatic representatives of 6 countries (Somalia, Libya, Eswatini, Gabon, Guinea and Maldives), in meetings with Kosovo ambassadors and diplomats, despite Vučić's claim of non-recognition, expressed their willingness to deepen bilateral relations.
Hibrid.info has previously addressed Vučić's unsubstantiated claim, made in his January 4 appearance (here).
Vučić's claims made headlines in Serbian-language media on January 4.
Links to articles published in Serbian-language media:
https://www.alo.rs/vesti/politika/711437/povlacenje-priznanja-vucic-kosovo/vest
Excerpts from articles published in Serbian-language media:
THE PRESIDENT of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, has warned of difficult challenges regarding Kosovo and Metohija and listed the countries that have withdrawn recognition of the so-called Kosovo.
We have not provoked anyone, unless someone considers it a provocation that we respect our Constitution and protect citizens. We did not make a single incident, not a single wrong move. We cannot stand up to great powers, we are small, Germany, America and Europe are big… We are small, but today as things are in the world, 106 countries do not recognize Kosovo. All 84 unequivocally admit that three countries are not clean. Nine have withdrawn: Somalia, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Eswatini, Libya, Guinea, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia, Maldives – said Vučić.
While President Vučić made a claim (about the de-recognition of Kosovo by 9 countries) but without providing information or official facts (diplomatic notes) to support his claim. On the other hand, Kosovar diplomacy, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora (MFA) and diplomatic missions, have stated that such a claim has not been proven after talks with representatives of the countries, and have published meetings with diplomatic representatives of some of these countries, with pledges to deepen bilateral relations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (January 5) stated that there is no announcement from official diplomatic institutions in Kosovo about the withdrawal of recognition of Kosovo.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of the Republic of Kosovo announces that there is NO notification in the MFA nor in the missions of the Republic of Kosovo about yesterday's claims by the Serbian president that some countries have withdrawn recognition. Such a claim has not been confirmed either after conversations with representatives at various levels of these countries, or after consultation with important partners of our country." (here)
In addition to the MFA, Kosovo's diplomatic representatives have held meetings with representatives of neighboring countries in recent days. Somalia, Libya, Eswatini, Gabon, Guinea and Maldives.
The meetings were held at the level of deepening the development of interstate cooperation and the continuation of bilateral relations.
In addition, Hibrid.info has researched the official websites of the ministries of foreign affairs of the states mentioned as withdrawing recognition of Kosovo and has not found any information or public statements about withdrawing recognition of Kosovo as an independent state. (The websites of the ministries of foreign affairs of Somalia, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Eswatini or Swaziland, Libya, Guinea, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Luciaand Maldives)
Analyze:
The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, does not provide official diplomatic information (diplomatic notes) to substantiate the claims made about the withdrawal of recognitions.
The MFA has also announced that there is no announcement in Kosovo's official diplomatic institutions about the withdrawal of recognition.
Diplomatic representatives of Kosovo have recently held meetings with representatives of the states of Somalia, Libya, Eswatini, Gabon, Guinea and the Maldives, at the level of deepening the development of interstate cooperation and continuing bilateral relations.
In addition, Hibrid.info has researched the official websites of the ministries of foreign affairs of the states mentioned as withdrawing recognition of Kosovo and has not found any information or public statements about withdrawing recognition of Kosovo.
Based on its work methodology, hibrid.info considers the Serbian president's claims to be "disinformation".
Reasoning:
A “Disinformation” rating is given to media reporting that contains a “mix” of inaccurate sources or even half-truthful content. This rating will also address reports that have incorrect attributions or headlines that do not reflect the text in terms of information accuracy.