Baraliu: Kos’s statement is not accidental, there is readiness among EU member states that have not recognized Kosovo to change their position

University professor Mazllum Baraliu believes that the statement by European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos is not accidental and that there is readiness among EU countries that have not recognized Kosovo to change their stance.

Baraliu told Kosovo Online that Greece is leading in that regard.

“There is a certain willingness, perhaps among four or all five countries that have not yet recognized Kosovo’s independence. In that sense, I think Greece is at the forefront, as it recognizes all Kosovo documents - passports, ID cards and everything else, and it also has a very important economic, as well as political, interest in being the leading and most influential country in the Balkans,” Baraliu said.

He further states that, in addition to Greece, Spain also recognizes all Kosovo documents.

“Given that it is both a member of the European Union and NATO, and also for economic reasons, since many representatives of Greek business are present in the economies of Kosovo and Albania. So there is a legal, political and economic interest, primarily on the part of Greece. It has been close to recognition several times. But not only that, Spain has already recognized documents, even though it was the most hardline on this issue, and possibly Romania and Slovakia as well,” Baraliu said.

He concludes that there is readiness among the five EU countries that have not recognized Kosovo to change their position.

“So, this was not said by accident, but we will see whether it is truly serious or not. That remains to be seen,” Baraliu said.