14 minutes agoGreece, Serbia: We signed on to KiE because you promised that you would block Kosovo.
Periskopi(3 years ago)
(3 years ago)Greece has no intention of recognising Kosovo's independence, even though it abstained last week in a vote for its admission to the Council of Europe, Greek Prime Minister for National Security Thanos Dokos' adviser said on Friday. The Council of Europe, a human rights watchdog body, gave the green light [...] on Monday.
The Council of Europe, a human rights watchdog body, on Monday gave Kosovo the green light to join, as 33 member states were pro, seven against and five abstained. Many were surprised that Greece, one of the five EU nations that do not recognise Kosovo's independence, abstained.
“We thought it was good for the implementation of the rule of law and also to de-scalm tensions between the two sides”, Dokos said at an economic forum in the Greek town of Delphi, Croatian news agency “Hina” broadcasts Klankosova.tv.
“We have not recognised and will not do”, he added, referring to Kosovo's independence.
He later added that Serbia had promised it would not block Kosovo's membership in international organisations as part of the agreement on normalising relations. Athens was called to that position for its decision on Kosovo in the KiE.
“We have not yet recognised Kosovo, nor will we. We try to be as constructive as possible”, Dokos said, broadcast Clankosova.tv.
Kurt participated in the Delphy economic forum, but from the Serbian government, no one went.
Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic told the news agency “Tanjug” he was disappointed with Greece's stance.
“I hope our Serbian friends remember that we have supported them for years”, Dokos said, referring to the Kosovo issue.
Cyprus Division Problem
Greece supports the European Union's expansion with the Southeast European candidate countries -- Serbia, BiH, Montenegro and Northern Macedonia -- and has not rejected the decision that Kosovars with their passports can travel to the European Union without visas.
“We have a difficult environment on all sides, so it is important for us to complete the enlargement process or at least preserve the spirit of the Thessaloniki summit 20 years ago”, Dokos said.
Greece has had tense relations with neighbouring Turkey for years due to the border dispute and division of Cyprus, and that is why Greece does not recognise Kosovo.
Under the Greek EU presidency in 2003, a meeting was held between the EU and the Western Balkan countries, where it was mentioned for the first time in a statement that the future of these countries is in the EU.
Since then, only Croatia has become a member.
