"We don't recognize so-called Kosovo": Greek foreign minister says stance of Athens is unchanged

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The position of Athens on the issue of Kosovo's independence remains unchanged - Greece does not recognize Kosovo, Pristina-based newspaper Gazeta Express is reporting, citing the response it received from the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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The deepening of cooperation in the field of economy and trade between Kosovo and Greece and the upcoming visit of Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias to Pristina has caused concern in Belgrade and with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, because they saw these moves as a possible step towards recognizing Kosovo's independence.

Despite the development of cooperation between Pristina and Athens, Greece's position on Kosovo's independence remains unchanged, the Greek Foreign Ministry replied to Gazeta Express.

"As you know, Greece does not recognize Kosovo and that position remains unchanged," the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

The response also states that Greece's attitude towards Kosovo is constructive, referring to current cooperation in the field of economic development and support for Kosovo in various areas.

"Greece follows a constructive approach towards Pristina and has been the host country of the 'Kosovo Office for Trade and Economic Affairs in Athens' since 2019, and is cooperating with Kosovo to increase cooperation in various areas. In that spirit, in order to further improve our bilateral cooperation and facilitate the functioning of the office, without including aspects related to status, this office has been renamed to the 'Office for Interests of Kosovo in Athens'," the letter states.

The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that the upcoming visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece Nikos Dendias to Pristina is linked with the establishment of new Pristina institutions.

Athens also says it supports visa liberalization for Kosovo.

"Greece supports Kosovo on its European path and in that context it also supports visa liberalization. Greece also provides a significant number of soldiers to KFOR," the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed support for the EU-mediated dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade.

"As a longtime member of the EU and NATO, Greece strives to consolidate peace, democracy and stability, security and economic development and the rule of law in the Western Balkans region, by creating good neighborly relations and respecting the basic principles of international law. Greece has strongly supported the European perspective of all partners in the Western Balkans, including Pristina, as well as the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, with the help of the EU," the ministry said.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)