Kosovo normalizes ties with ‘Israel’; will open embassy in Jerusalem

‘Israel’ and Kosovo have formally normalized ties on Monday, recognizing Jerusalem as the occupation state capital and promising to open an embassy.

In a ceremony held over Zoom in Jerusalem and Pristina, Israeli FM Gabi Ashkenazi and Kosovan FM Meliza Haradinaj Stublla, signed a joint declaration establishing ties, due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions.

The ceremony was broadcast live on Israeli Foreign Ministry’s Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/IsraelMFA/videos/160840432299606/

https://www.facebook.com/101995411316/posts/10158132247676317/

Ashkenazi said he had approved Kosovo’s “formal request to open an embassy in Jerusalem.”

“The establishment of relations between ‘Israel’ and Kosovo is an important and moving historical step that reflects the many changes the region has experienced in recent months,” Ashkenazi stated.

“Today, Kosovo officially joins the circle of countries that aspire to peace and stability and recognize ‘Israel’, and Jerusalem as its capital.”

“This agreement is an important and exciting step in the relations between us.
In our conversation, the Foreign Minister emphasized Kosovo’s commitment to recognizing #Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and shared with me their program to promote the memory of the Holocaust care for Jewish cemeteries and the opening of a Jewish cultural center this year,” Ashkenazi tweeted.

The decision to normalize ties was announced last September at a summit of Kosovo-Serbia leaders at the White House in the presence of former U.S. president Donald Trump.

“I thank the United States for its efforts to advance world peace, and to advance Israel’s relations with countries that we did not have diplomatic relations with until recently,” Ashkenazi said Monday.

‘Israel’ also normalized ties with the UAE last September, a move that was followed by Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco.

Palestinians condemned the normalization agreements, saying they encouraged Israel’s denial of their rights and do not serve the Palestinian cause.

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