Baraliu: Quint influenced Greece to strengthen relations with Kosovo, recognition possible

Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Pristina, Mazlum Baraliu, says that the special mission of Kosovo in Athens, led by Nora Visoka Weller, will play a significant role in further developing economic and political ties with Greece. He evaluates for Kosovo Online that this could eventually lead to Greece recognizing Kosovo.

Baraliu notes that the relations between Greece and Kosovo are improving, primarily economically but also politically, thanks to the influence of the Quint countries.

“The Greek economy is quite present in Kosovo, with investors here, and it is likely that the Quint countries have influenced Greece to enhance relations in some way. Now, it has finally come to the point where an office with both economic and political significance is being opened, through which relations between Greece and Kosovo will continue to develop,” says Baraliu.

A professor from Pristina, Mazlum Baraliu, assesses that this diplomatic mission could contribute to Greece recognizing Kosovo's independence.

“For the past two or three years, there has been talk that Greece might be the first among the five countries that have not recognized Kosovo's independence to do so. It seems that these relations are now developing in that context,” he adds.

Baraliu praises Nora Visoka Weller as an expert and reminds that her husband, Mark Weller, was an advisor to Prime Minister Albin Kurti during the normalization talks with Serbia in Ohrid.

“Kosovo is trying to get closer to all the European Union countries that have not recognized it, and this mission can certainly contribute to that effort. Greece is present in the Balkan countries, where it has a strong economy, banking systems in Albania, Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and other countries, so it has an interest in developing relations with Kosovo as well,” notes Baraliu.

He sees Greece’s relationship with Cyprus, which, like Spain, vehemently opposes Kosovo's recognition, as an obstacle. Nevertheless, he points out that Pristina and Athens have good relations and recalls that Greece was among the first to recognize Kosovo's passports.