Serbia and Croatia expel diplomats and further strain relations between the Balkan neighbors

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbia and Croatia each have expelled one of the other’s diplomats in a move that further strains relations between the two former wartime foes and Balkan rivals. The Serbian Foreign Affairs Ministry said the first secretary of the Croatian Embassy was proclaimed persona non grata for his alleged “gross stepping outside the framework of diplomatic norms. Media close to the populist Serbian government said Tuesday that the diplomat is accused of “spying activities.” Croatia rejected the accusations and expelled a Serbian diplomat on Tuesday. The Croatian foreign ministry said Serbia’s action would weaken bilateral relations at a time “when the stability of southeastern Europe is of exceptional importance for the whole of Europe.”