The Austrian European Parliament Member, Lukas Mandl said that the recognition of Kosovo as an independent country by Israel, is a message to the EU countries which still haven’t done so.
“The State of Israel will recognize the Republic of Kosovo, which is the youngest state of Europe. Since I feel friendship between Austria, Israel and Kosovo this step means a lot to me. It is also a clear signal for those EU Member States which have not yet recognized Kosovo,” Mandl wrote on his Twitter account.
Kosovo and Israel have establish diplomatic ties during a virtual ceremony on Monday, following the September 2020 decision for mutual recognition pushed forward by the U.S. former President Donald Trump.
Kosovo is expected to open its embassy in Jerusalem, in accordance with the pledge made at the White House by its prime minister.
In September 2020, Kosovo and Serbia signed pledges at the White House to normalize economic relations. Kosovo’s document included mutual recognition with Israel and the opening of its embassy in Jerusalem, while Serbia also vowed to move its embassy to Jerusalem, which is still not clear if and when it will happen.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia on February 17, 2008.
Five EU member states that did not recognize Kosovo are Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia and Spain. This despite a resolution adopted by the European Parliament in July 2010 calling on all member states to recognize the country.
