Erdogan hosts lunch for Kosovo president Thaci

Gazeta Express

20/09/2020 18:40

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has hosted a lunch with his Kosovo counterpart Hashim Thaci at Vahdettin Mansion in Istanbul.

Kosovo president Thaci in a Tweet after the meeting thanked Erdogan for as the warm hospitality “and productive conversation on all issues of mutual interest, including bilateral cooperation, regional and global issues.”

“Our two nations enjoy friendly relations and will further strengthen the strategic partnership of Kosovo with Turkey,” Thaci wrote on Twitter. Erdogan’s meeting with Thaci comes days after Turkey has officially criticised Kosovo’s plan to open its embassy in Jerusalem. Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that they are disappointed over majority-Muslim Kosovo’s decision to recognize Israel and set up its mission in Jerusalem. “Even the thought by Kosovo officials of taking such a step — which is a clear violation of international law — is disappointing,” the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement.

Kosovo will set up its Israel mission in Jerusalem and in exchange earn Israel’s recognition, as it seeks to further legitimize its statehood. The decision comes out of a US-brokered agreement between Kosovo and Serbia reached at the White House on 4 September. /GazetaExpress/