Greek Minister Heals Breach on Visit to Kosovo

Greek Foreign Minister Nikolaos Kotzias held a joint press conference in Pristina on Tuesday with his counterpart, Hashim Thaci, in what is seen as a landmark in relations between the two.

Greece has yet to recognize Kosovo's independence, proclaimed in 2008.

"I think that Kosovo and Greece are two parties that can create and develop all kinds of cooperation? We talked about the waves of refugees, migration, education and culture and the big networks that we are going to develop in the next ten years all over the Balkans," Kotzias said.

The Foreign Minister said that he also welcomed the idea of Kosovo opening an Office for Kosovo in Athens or Thessaloniki.

"We support Kosovo becoming a member of international organizations like Interpol and UNESCO," continued Kotzias, saying that Greece had always supported "the creation of links between the European Union and Kosovo".

Kotzias also met Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa on which occasion both leaders greeted the strengthening of relations between the two countries.

While Greece has not recognized Kosovo, it has included the country in EU events on a Western Balkan level, such as the Thessaloniki Summit in 2003.

Prior to Kotzias's visit, efforts were already underway for the creation of a Kosovo office in Thessaloniki, handling economic cooperation between the two.

There is already an office for Greece in Kosovo, led by Dimitris Moschopolous. He also advises Kosovo institutions on religious and cultural heritage matters through the United Nations Development Program, particularly pertaining to the Serbian Orthodox churches and monasteries in the country. 

Kotzias visited Belgrade in late June when Serbian Foreign Minister Dacic thanked Athens for not recognising...