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. 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.
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Meliza Haradinaj Stublla of Kosovo and Gabi Ashkenazi of Israel, signed two agreements on Monday, in a Zoom conference due to the pandemic travel restriction: one on the establishment of diplomatic relations, and one on the Israel’s international development agency Mashav’s activity in Kosovo.
Kosovo’s minister praised the support of the United States for this achievement.
“Today Israel becomes the 117th state to recognize Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state,” she stated, while highlighting the friendly relations between the two people.
Ashkenazi said Kosovo had filed a formal request to open its embassy in Jerusalem, and he had approved it.
“The establishment of relations between Israel and Kosovo is an important and moving historical step that reflects the many changes the region has experienced in recent months,” he said.
“Today, Kosovo officially joins the circle of countries that aspire to peace and stability and recognize Israel, and Jerusalem as its capital.”
He praised Kosovo’s adoption in September of the definition of anti-Semitism according to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, and added that the Kosovo embassy in Jerusalem may be ready to open in spring.
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Matthew Palmer also attended today’s ceremony.
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.
