Former Swiss President: Kosovo needs new recognition, here lies problem

Former Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey and former federal adviser who led the foreign policy of the helvetic state has spoken about Kosovo in an interview Swissinfo. ch, remembering the period of Kosovo's declaration of independence and today's challenges to the new state.

Calmy-Rey said that in the context of the war in Ukraine, Kosovo needs new recognitions and membership in international organisations.

I would say that the war in Ukraine changed the situation. Western Balkan countries have taken on greater strategic importance. These are new states whose relationship with Russia is asymmetric and not always simple”, she said.

“In this context, Kosovo needs recognition of other states to approach international organisations. She wants to become a member of the European Union and NATO”, Calmy-Rey added, answering the question of what challenges Kosovo currently faces.

Speaking of Kosovo's non-recognition by five EU countries, she said that “EU mediators are following a policy that, to some extent, protects Serbia”.

“From Albin Kurti is required to grant greater autonomy to Serb municipalities. Compensation should be the recognition of Kosovo by Serbia, but the Serbian president says he will never do it. And here's the problem of Kosovo”, said Calmy-Rey, past the Express.

A year ago, former Swiss President Michelin Calmy-Rey was honoured in Kosovo. President Vjosa Osmani had handed her the medal of “The Order of Independence”.