Israel opposes Kosovo recognition, urges talks
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Serbia Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic have agreed that new negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina is the only way to achieve a long-term and stable solution for the future status of Kosovo.
Lieberman said that direct talks is the only way that a comprehensive peace in the region can be achieved.
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, left, and Serbia Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic meet in Serbia September 16, 2009.
Lieberman says Israel has a “history of friendly relations” with Serbia, adding that Serbs and Jews fought together against the Nazis.
“I am deeply grateful to Israel on its position on Kosovo and Metohia, and especially to mister Lieberman personally for his contribution to that decision,” said Minister Jeremic.
“Israel does not recognize the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo and that is something we value highly, especially in view of the pressures that Israel is under” to recognize Kosovo, said Jeremic.
Asked whether Israel is under pressure to recognize Kosovo, Lieberman said that Israel is “under pressure for many issues since 1948 and knows how to handle itself”.
Both Ministers agreed that the relations between two countries are excellent and expressed hope to extend the relationship on matters of trade and business.
During Lieberman’s visit, both countries signed and agreement that abolishes travel visas between the two countries.
Pointing out that this is an important step in the development of the two countries’ relations, Lieberman said that the agreement is a way to remove obstacles for Serbian business people and tourists to visit Israel.
Lieberman noted the excellent business relations between Serbia and Israel and said that the future will bring an improved trade, cooperation in agriculture and high technology.
Lieberman is paying a one day visit to Serbia, during which he will meet with President Tadic, Prime Minister Cvetkovic and Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac. He is also planned to meet with Serbian parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Dragoljub Micunovic.
Serbian President Boris Tadic thanked the visiting Minister for Israel’s support of Serbia’s territorial integrity.
“We value highly Israel’s support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia by not recognizing the illegal and unilateral declaration of independence of our Kosovo province,” said Tadic.
Separately, Minister Jeremic said that the officials in Morocco have told him that Morocco will not recognize Kosovo and will continue to oppose its unilateral declaration of independence in international institutions too.
Jeremic met in Rabat with Moroccan Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi, Foreign Minister Taieb Fassi-Fihri, President of the Assembly of Representatives Mustapha Mansouri, and President of the Assembly of Councilors Maati Benkaddour.
The talks focused also on Morocco’s experience regarding Western Sahara.
The independence of Western Sahara was recognized at first by many countries, but about 20 states, including India and Serbia revoked their decisions after many years.
September 16, 2009
SERBIANNA
This is great support from Israel. Not a bad friend to have, Jewish people are very prominent and influential around the world..
including albanian visa free for 6 years, and montenegro just recently
they gave you this so they dont look racist not becouse you deserved it
And don’t forget very good friends with USA, can we trust them completly?
Kosovo is a selfproclamed state wich has been recognised by contries that dissregard rule of international law to win political points for USA. The nagotiations between the Democratic state of Serbia and the Albanic Minority in Serbia was not fare becouse it was promised by USA to give independence to Albanians in the middle of nagotiations ??? They were hungry for the military postion in the balkans that I can understand, (camp bond steel). But not the sell out of Europeans. This was a clear violation of international law, that is clear to everyone.
Ding dong, are they also not recognising Kosovo in order not to appear racist?
The is all about politics and not any sort of justice so why do you even go there. Don’t you realize that you sound really stupid when you try to link any recognition of Kosovo to some “justice” for Albanians or any cooperation with Serbia as an attempt not to appear racist? Try exploitation and you would be more on the mark.
Ding Ding is a Albo, only they can say things like that!
Yes Veljkovic, Ding Dong (Ding Ding)is obviously an Albanian. They and their good buddies Croats and Bosniaks are the only ones who went to the same school of Albanian history.
Well, three of them cannot change world history so they are only going to appear ridiculous. I say, let them talk for they will only dig themselves even deeper in their own crap.
Veljkovic
September 18, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Ding Ding is a Albo, only they can say things like that!
think what you want, im not your father
Israel has recognised the Kosovo passport,
All you in here claim to have a new brother.
Who needs enemys when you have friends as you do
You all are in the right way, dont worry, one day you will get an independent serbia
The Kosovo passport is a little piece of paper, now you tell me, how many muslim Albanians visit Israel?
None, that’s why the recognized it!