Jerusalem Post: Serbia won’t move embassy if Israel recognizes Kosovo

Gazeta Express

09/09/2020 11:19

Israeli newspaper Jerusalem Post reports that Israeli recognition of Kosovo as an independent country will strain relations with Serbia, despite it being in the framework of agreements the Balkan countries signed in the White House, a source close to Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić told the daily on Wednesday.

Serbia’s agreement said that they would also open an embassy in Jerusalem. Earlier this year, Belgrade announced that it would open a trade office in the capital. “Serbia will not move its embassy to Jerusalem if Israel recognizes Kosovo as an independent country,” according to the source, who has close knowledge of the agreements signed in Washington. “Moreover, this move by Israel would harm the otherwise intimate relationship between Israel and Serbia and it will never be the same. It’s that simple.” The source told Jerusalem post that “many have argued that Israel recognizing Kosovo would be akin to countries unilaterally recognizing ‘Palestine.’”

Serbia and Kosovo signed separate agreements with the US at the same time, sitting on opposite sides of US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Friday. The agreements would allow for greater economic ties between the countries. Critics have said the content of the agreements does not progress Serbia-Kosovo ties, and consists of actions that it already pledged to take in EU-mediated talks. In addition, the agreement with Kosovo stated that Israel would normalize ties with the Muslim-majority country, which would open an embassy in Jerusalem. Serbia’s agreement said that they, too, would open an embassy in Jerusalem. Earlier this year, Serbia announced that it would open a trade office in the capital.