Israel's recognition of Kosovo was disappointing for Serbia, Vucic says

Vucic in a media release, archive

 The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vuiqi., Said that the recognition of Kosovo by Israel was disappointing for Serbia.

Vucic said on Tuesday (August 10th) that during a telephone conversation with new Israeli President Isaac Herzog, he expressed hope that Serbia and the new Israeli leadership would advance bilateral relations.

"President Vucic has expressed the expectation that President Herzog and Israel will continue to support the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, which for Serbia is the only way to resolve the sensitive issue of Kosovo," the Serbian presidency said in a statement after the telephone conversation.

Kosovo and Israel established diplomatic relations on February 1, 2021.

The mutual recognition between these two countries was part of the agreement for economic normalization reached in Washington, USA on September 4, 2020.

The Washington agreement was signed at the time by then-Kosovo Prime Minister Abdullah Hoti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in the presence of former US President Donald Trump.

The agreement also provided for Kosovo to open an embassy in Jerusalem while Serbia moved it from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Kosovo has opened its embassy in Jerusalem, while Serbia has not yet relocated its embassy.

According to the communiqué, during the phone conversation with the President of Israel, Vucic said that the discussions will contribute to a greater understanding between the two countries.

"We consider it very important that Serbia and Israel, through cooperation, contribute to the political and peaceful settlement of all disputes, conflicts, and open issues," Vucic said.

As it is said, Israel is one of the most important investors in Serbia, and these investments include the field of transport and real estate.

The two presidents, according to the announcement, stated that there is room to expand cooperation including increasing the level of trade and that the opening of the representative office of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce in Israel has given impetus to this goal.