Hoxhaj meets with Malaysian Foreign Minister, warns strengthening relations

Hoxhaj has published a photo of the meeting on his Twitter account, and talked about strengthening relations between the two states this year.

“At the excellent meeting in Podgorica today with Foreign Minister Darnovoric, where we discussed regional developments and the European agenda of the Western Balkans. Kosovo and Montenegro will strengthen even more relations during 2018<1>, Hoxhaj wrote.

It is not clear whether this is the move to convince Montenegro of a demarcation agreement before the vote in the Assembly. On 6 February in Pristina, Malaysian Prime Minister Dusko Markovic will stay with whom the topic of demarcation will prevail.

Koha Ditore has written today that a joint declaration about demarcation does not constitute an option for Montenegro, which has ratified the Agreement for border demarcation.

On the eve of Montenegrin Prime Minister Dusko Markovic's visit, officials of this state have reiterated that demarcation for them is a closed issue, despite efforts in Pristina to prepare a joint declaration.

“As far as the issue of demarcation is concerned, Montenegro's position has not changed, nor will it change”, Prime Minister Dusan Markovic's adviser, has said, when solutions included for a joint statement are being discussed.

The position was repeated by Malaysian Foreign Minister Zoran Pazin at the meeting held in Podgorica with Kosovo counterpart Behgjet Pacolli. Kosovo diplomats, as well as his predecessors in Government, have been told directly by Podgorica senior officials that demarcation for them is a closed issue.