Prorokovic: Kosovo is perceived as a precedent in international relations, and this is also Spain’s position

Senior Research Associate at the Institute for International Politics and Economy in Belgrade, Dusan Prorokovic, tells Kosovo Online that Albin Kurti’s argument that the Kosovo issue has nothing to do with Spain’s internal political situation is shallow and cannot contribute to changing Madrid’s stance, which does not recognize Kosovo.

Prorokovic emphasizes that the Kosovo issue is a precedent in international relations and is perceived as such almost everywhere, including in Spain.

"The internal relations within Spain and its constitutional framework have their historical dimension, including a very dark episode related to the Spanish Civil War. There were also tendencies that grew in Catalonia after Franco’s fall, as well as the current political landscape where Catalan parties, to a greater or lesser extent, advocate for separatism. Therefore, Kurti’s argument in this case is shallow and cannot contribute to any change in Madrid’s position," Prorokovic states.

Regarding Kurti’s remark in an interview with the Spanish newspaper El Mundo, where he described it as paradoxical that Spain does not recognize Kosovo, which opposes Russian influence, yet maintains a position close to Serbia, Prorokovic says that Kurti lobbied in the way he deemed appropriate with the tools he had at his disposal.

"This is not the first time he has spoken about alleged Russian influence and strong Serbian-Russian ties as an argument for changing the stance of certain states on the Kosovo issue. However, in Spain’s case, this argument does not hold water. Spain firmly stands by its position for entirely different reasons, which were further reinforced by the referendum in Catalonia held a few years ago. Thus, Kurti’s statements may stir some dust in Belgrade and Pristina, but I don’t think they will have any effect in Madrid. On the one hand, Kosovo is perceived as a precedent in international relations, including in Spain. On the other hand, due to Spain’s complex historical and political legacy, no one there will take such matters lightly based on a mere statement or claim about Russian influence," Prorokovic concludes.