EU reacts to opening of Kosovo Embassy in Jerusalem

English

Gazeta Express

15/03/2021 14:50

The European Union has again expressed regret over Kosovo’s decision to open an Embassy in Jerusalem. This comment from the EU comes a day after Kosovo announced that it has officially opened its Embassy in Israel, located in Jerusalem.

An EU spokesman said Monday that “the EU regrets Kosovo’s decision to depart from the EU position on the Jerusalem issue.”

“The position of the EU is well known and is in accordance with Security Council Resolution 478 of 1980, which calls upon all UN member states to relocate their embassies to Tel Aviv, all embassies of EU member states and the EU Delegation to Israel are located in Tel Aviv,” the spokesperson said. “The EU has repeatedly reiterated its firm commitment to a negotiated and workable solution of two states built on agreed international parameters and international law. In its conclusions in December 2017, the European Council – at the level of Heads of States and Governments – reiterated that the EU’s position on Jerusalem remains unchanged. The EU’s long-standing position is clear: a way must be found through negotiations to resolve the issue of Jerusalem as the future capital of the two states, and the aspirations of both sides must be met.  In this regard, any diplomatic step that calls into question the EU’s common position is a matter of serious concern and regret.” But when asked about the opening of an office of the Czech Embassy – an EU member state – in Jerusalem, the EU did not give a clear answer. “As far as the Czech Republic is concerned, the opening of what is described as the Jerusalem-based Office of the (Czech) Embassy to Israel, we recall the UN Security Council Resolution,” the EU said, reiterating the view that “all EU member states and the EU Delegation to Israel are located in Tel Aviv.” /GazetaExpress/