Catalonia enjoys decision to recognise Kosovo passports from Spain

On Saturday, Spain has recognised Kosovo passports.

This decision came days after visa liberalisation for Kosovo citizens entered into force.

The recognition of passports has also been enjoyed by the Catalonia region, which is now demanding independence from Spain.

But the decision on recognising travel documents according to the Spanish government is not related even to recognition of Kosovo as a state.

Spain is one of five non-recognising states of Kosovo citizenship, along with Greece, Romania, Slovakia and Cyprus, writes Financial Times.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares had also spoken of ignorance.

“Spain does not yet recognise Kosovo, the sovereignty or independence of Kosovo, because we do not recognise unilateral declarations of independence”, he had said.

Recognition of Kosovo passports has prompted reactions in Spain, but according to the executive there, it has to do with “Zebutation” to Catalonia.

The pro-independence Catalonia parties in November agreed on Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's support even for a mandate. The parties of this region remain supportive of Kosovo's independence.

A “Together official for Catalonia (Bash for Catalonian)”, the party in Catalonia, has said they are happy for Kosovars and happy that they will not need to lobbi about this subject in the Spanish Assembly.

Catalonone's regional government, led by the Katalonian Republican Left, has said its <x0 focus is in full accordance with the position of European institutions for the recognition and sovereignty of Kosovo”. It's Spain that has a different attitude. It's anomalies”, they've stated, "The Financial Times broadcasts Clancosova." tv

Edward Joseph, an expert on the Balkans at the “Johns Hopkins” University in the United States, has praised Spain's decision as the “big step forward, warning further NATO and the EU on the issue of Kosovo citizenship”.

“is a critical issue for the stability of the region”, he has said, adding that Spain's new decision opens new opportunities for co-operation.