Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, during a joint press conference with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, spoke about the independence of the Republic of Kosovo and the recognition it has received as a state, as reported by Gazeta Express.
Plenković stated that Kosovo’s international recognition as a sovereign state is a reality and that he doesn’t see any scenario in which this would be reversed. He further emphasized the importance of establishing substantive and conflict-free relations between states that emerged from the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia, based on mutual respect.
The Croatian Prime Minister noted that without such an approach, there could be a regression to a different time and context, which he believes no one is interested in.
“Kosovo, as a recognized state, is already a reality. I don’t see any scenario in which this would be undone. What is important now is that the relationships between the states that emerged from the dissolution of the former Yugoslavia are regulated in a substantive manner, without conflict, and with mutual respect. Without this, we would regress to another time and context, which I’m sure no one has any appetite for. That’s why the Brussels agreement, as Prime Minister Kurti mentioned, has been qualified by many actors and has been said to lead to de facto recognition. We have a new mandate in the EU, a new president of the European Council, and new relationships. These processes have gained momentum, and I believe there will be progress, but we do not have illusions that this will be resolved overnight, and Prime Minister Kurti is aware of that. It is important that the process remains peaceful and that there is a pragmatic approach, and for this reason, we stand firmly behind it,” Plenković said.
