The leaders of Serbia and Kosovo agreed on Friday to strengthen economic ties between the two countries. In the White House, President Donald Trump announced the deal. The US mediated between the two countries that have been at odds with each other since Kosovo’s independence in 2008.
Trump announced the “brave” accord between the Balkan countries as a breakthrough. Talks about establishing political ties have been halted for the time being. Both countries first want to see how an economic agreement works.
“Serbia and Kosovo are committed to normalizing the economy between the two countries,” Trump said in front of the two leaders. “By focusing on jobs and economic growth, the two countries were able to agree.”
Serbian President Aleksander Vucic says there are still major differences to bridge between Serbia and Kosovo, but that the agreement is a step in the right direction. According to Kosovar Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti, the agreement could lead to mutual recognition of the two countries, something Serbia has always refused.
Kosovo was once a partly autonomous province of Serbia, until Serbian forces decided in the 1990s to involve the province more in the country and to take away this autonomy. This led to a bloody conflict, which prompted NATO to intervene to stop Belgrade’s repressive regime. In 2008 Kosovo declared itself completely dependent.
For the EU, the Serbian recognition of Kosovo is one of the preconditions for possible accession to the union. Earlier, the European Union tried to set up negotiations between the two nations, but these went wrong. Talks will resume shortly.
Serbia moves Israeli embassy to Jerusalem
The US president also announced during his press conference that Serbia has decided to move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The United States and Guatemala have already done this. The predominantly Islamist Kosovo will also normalize ties with Israel and want talks with the country about establishing diplomatic relations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Kosovo’s decision. He also welcomed Serbia’s move to move the embassy to Jerusalem. Serbia is the first European country to do this.
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