Increased calls for five EU member states to recognize Kosovo; Spanish MFA responds to Gazeta Express

English

Gazeta Express

17/03/2022 13:43

Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina were the first two countries to be mentioned as Russia’s possible target for destabilizing the Western Balkans after Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. A warning of such a danger has alarmed the West, but also the institutions in Pristina.

By: Besnik Velija

Kosovo and the US are seeking recognition from the EU five, while Kosovo is seeking accelerated EU integration as well as NATO membership, as Kosovo’s membership in these two institutions would contribute to the establishment of long-term peace in the region. However, the main obstacles for membership in the above-mentioned institutions remain the states that do not recognize Kosovo’s independence, and which are also EU and NATO member states. One of these countries is Spain, which despite the events in Ukraine and the request made on 15 March by the US Congressman Ritchie Torres (for recognition of Kosovo) is not intending to change its stance on Kosovo. The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Gazeta Express: “In response to your specific question, the Spanish Diplomatic Information Office has nothing to report on this matter.  Spain maintains its position of non-recognition of the unilateral declaration of independence adopted by Pristina in 2008. In any case, our approach is very constructive and, we stand for dialogue and an agreement between Belgrade and Pristina.

US Democrat Congressman Ritchie Torres who is pushing for Kosovo to be able to join the European Union and NATO, sent letters to ambassadors of the five EU member countries which do not recognize Kosovo, including Spain, asking them to reverse their stance. In a Tweet posted Tuesday he said that Kosovo has been independent for 14 years, yet there are several EU nations that do not recognize this. “I’m calling on Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, & Spain to reconsider their position and recognize Kosovo as an independent nation so that Kosovo has a path to enter the EU.” /GazetaExpress/