German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, yesterday, urging Serbia to be “pragmatic in the process of recognizing Kosovo,” because without that the country would be unable to join the EU.
“Kosovo and Serbia must reach a comprehensive agreement. It is clear that such an agreement finally resolves the issue of recognizing Kosovo. It is impossible for two countries that do not recognize each other to become part of the EU. This process should be pragmatic,” Scholz told a joint news conference with the prime minister of the unrecognized territory, Albin Kurti, in Pristina on June 10, the Kosovo Online portal reports.
Scholz promised Pristina support regarding visa liberalization in relations with the EU. For his part, Kurti came up with an initiative for Kosovo to join NATO. He stated that “NATO should stay in Kosovo until Kosovo becomes part of NATO.”
More than 60 countries, including Russia, India and China, oppose recognizing Kosovo.
