Kosovo: The Balkan dilemmas of Athens
Greek diplomacy is focused on the Western Balkans, even during the period of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. An area- “key” for the Greek interests and the upgraded role that Athens claims. Of particular importance, due to the issue of recognition for Greece in the Western Balkans, is Kosovo. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms through visits and contacts that the Athens-Pristina relations are in a constant course of upgrading, with a car and a “positive agenda”, even if formally – at least – the position of the Greek side has not changed regarding the status of Kosovo. . .
Of particular interest is the US interest in the wider region of the Western Balkans, which is becoming even more important in the shadow of the war in Ukraine. For Washington, Russian influence must clearly be curbed, and the debate over the need for non-proliferation of war in the Balkans has already begun. The urgings – even pressures, one might say – of the US for the recognition of Kosovo in Athens are on the menu at every American discussion table at the Foreign Ministry. Even during the last visit of US Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland in early April.
The absolute connection of Greece to the US chariot, after all, was the one that brought it even closer to Athens and Pristina, intensifying the literature on steps towards the recognition of Kosovo. For Athens, Kosovo is high on the agenda, but it still does not seem ready for “leaps” like that of recognition. Despite the fact that Greek diplomacy continues to ring a bell in Belgrade, given the extremely close relations between Serbia and Turkey. Most recent visit of a Greek official to Kosovo, that of Deputy Foreign Minister Costas Frangogiannis, focusing on investment, and in the fields of energy, construction and tourism. Nikos Dendias had a series of contacts with both the Kosovar Foreign Minister Donika Gervala-Schwartz and the Prime Minister Albin Kurti in Delphi. Visits of Kosovar officials are planned in the next period, aimed at messages and symbolism.
Autonomous course
Contrary to Ankara’s efforts and beyond, Kosovo seems to be choosing – as competent sources acknowledge – a more autonomous course, investing heavily in supporting Washington. US influence in Kosovo is evident. For Pristina, the red line is the independence of the country and skepticism begins in any statement that can be considered to be challenged or an attempt to visit it. “Plans on paper” referring to “Greater Albania” or Erdogan’s paternalism, which seeks to portray the region as a “protector” and “sultan”, find Pristina the opposite, with Kosovo sources stressing that the country has fought . too much for its independence to tolerate such statements and plans, which seek to control the country in any way.
Even if at the moment the discussion of the recognition of Kovo for Athens enters the “ice” and it is not excluded that an attempt will be made to connect with others in the diplomatic arena, the Greek side declares its commitment to the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue process. However, Dendias referred to the opinion of the International Court of Justice in The Hague in 2010, which clearly distinguishes the case of Kosovo from the Cyprus issue, emphasizing that Kosovo did not result from illegal use of force condemned by the UN Security Council and was not the result of an external invasion. enhancing the feeling of waiting. At the same time, for Kosovo, recognition efforts are intensifying, with Pristina seeking to speed up processes such as joining NATO and the EU, with Kurti warning that the Balkans will not be immune to Russian invasion of Ukraine.