The United States and its allies have welcomed the referendum on constitutional changes in Serbia

 

 

 The United States and some of its key allies welcomed Serbia's January 16th referendum on constitutional changes "as a key step in strengthening the independence of the judiciary," Reuters reported.

The US State Department released a joint statement from France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union on Friday.

"We note with regret that the Kosovo government has not allowed the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to collect ballots from eligible voters living in Kosovo for the upcoming referendum," the parties said, calling on Kosovo to allow of Serbs in the country to exercise their vote.

 Late last year, Serbian lawmakers approved a January 16th referendum on constitutional changes that would depoliticize the appointment of prosecutors and judges to qualify Serbia for eventual accession to the European Union.