Spain says it will recognise Kosovo, but rejoices to resume dialogue with Serbia

Resumption of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia is good news for Spain, but this state will continue to maintain the position of non-recognition of Kosovo's independence, so they say of KosovaPress, senior diplomatic sources from the Spanish Foreign Ministry.

Asked by Kosovo Press, if Spain could change its position in relation to Kosovo's independence, at a time when European Union officials are in climactic efforts to encourage the parties to reach a final agreement on normalising their relations, however, Spanish diplomacy said: “Spain will continue to maintain its position of not recognising the unilateral declaration of independence adopted by Pristina in 2008”.

“In any case, our approach is very constructive and supportive of dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. Restarting the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue is very good news. It is necessary to use the moment to try to reach an agreement acceptable to both sides and respected for international law”, Spanish diplomats said.

Asked about Spain's position after EU Special Representative for Dialogue Miroslav Lajcak's statement that for Kosovo success in the dialogue means becoming a candidate country for EU membership, Spanish diplomats told Kosovo Preress they fully back Mr. Lajcak, but declined to comment on his promise for Kosovo. “We fully support the work of the EU Special Representative for dialogue”, these diplomatic sources said.

As known, Spain is among the five European Union (Cyprus, Greece, Slovakia and Romania) member states that have refused to recognise Kosovo's independence since 2008.

One of the biggest challenges for the European Union leadership is the conviction of these countries to recognise Kosovo's independence, since as a result, even in the event of the success of the parties in the dialogue, Kosovo's integration processes will be blocked if these countries do not change their position regarding Kosovo's independence.