Israel refuses to recognize Kosovo despite pressure
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Wednesday in Belgrade that his country will not recognize the unilateral secession of Kosovo despite pressures to do so.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Thursday, September 17, 2009
Lieberman and his Serbian counterpart Vuk Jeremic said that only new negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina could yield a permanent solution to the Kosovo status question.
The Serbian minister said that he thanked Lieberman for Israel's firm position regarding Kosovo.
"I am very thankful to Israel for its position on Kosovo, and especially to Mr. Lieberman personally for his part in making such a decision. Israel does not recognize the unilateral declaration of Kosovo independence and that is something that we appreciate greatly, especially given the pressure that Israel has been under," Jeremic told a joint press conference.
Lieberman said that through direct talks between the two sides, a peaceful solution could be found to the Kosovo problem.
Asked whether Israel was under pressure to recognize Kosovo, Lieberman said that Israel "has been under pressure on many issues since 1948 and can handle it."
