“Historic moment, we stood side by side in difficult moments”

The agreements between Israel and Kosovo were signed in four languages, and at the end of the ceremony, the parties raised a glass of Israeli wine – which was also sent to Pristina. According to Ashkenazi, “it was more exciting than I thought.” Kosovo’s foreign minister thanked the United States again, and Ashkenazi signed: “May God bless America.” Ashkenazi later estimated that the Kosovo embassy in Jerusalem would open until Passover.

Along with the Kosovo Foreign Minister, Kosovo’s Prime Minister Abdullah Huti also attended the ceremony. The ceremony was also attended by the United States Ambassador to Pristina, who is in charge of the US Embassy in Jerusalem and Assistant to the US Secretary of State in Washington. – When American representatives watch from Washington.

Following the signing of the agreement, the parties also signed a memorandum of understanding for diplomatic consultations between the foreign ministries. In addition, a memorandum of understanding was signed within the framework of the Center for International Cooperation – Israel’s international aid arm. Ashkenazi said at the ceremony that “today we are making history and establishing diplomatic relations between Israel and Kosovo – a historic and exciting moment that many have been waiting for.”

“This is an opportunity to strengthen relations with the Kosovo people, who have a warm relationship with Israel,” Ashkenazi added. “I want to thank the United States for its efforts to promote world peace and bring peace between Israel and other countries. The Avraham agreements are a change in the paradigm that reflects the change in the region and in the Arab and Muslim world’s relations with Israel. “

“I have received your request to open the Kosovo Embassy in Jerusalem, and I hope to see it open soon,” Ashkenazi told representatives from Kosovo. “Israel has received more than 100 refugees from Kosovo, we know the price of war. We want a stable Balkans. The agreement signed in Washington between Serbia and Kosovo encourages us, as Israel sees Serbia as a close partner in the Balkans. We will work to deepen our relations with Serbia. We want to build Bridges between Israel and Kosovo in the areas of health, tourism, economy and everything we can bring to the table. ”

Kosovo’s foreign minister said: “Establishing relations today would not have been possible without the blessing and commitment of the United States, and I must mention former President Donald Trump, the US State Department and the support we received from the new Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. Kosovo has been waiting a long time to establish diplomatic relations with Israel. On this important day, we are marking a new chapter in the relationship between our countries, which have a common path. ”

“Israel is today becoming the 117th country to recognize Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state,” she said. “Our people enjoy a friendly relationship. We stood side by side in the difficult moments. We remember very well how in 1999 Israel hosted families who fled the war. In addition, during World War II, many families in Kosovo saved Jews and were recognized as Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem. “As a modern secular state with pluralism and a commitment to peace, prosperity and security, we call on other countries to recognize Kosovo’s independence.”

“This ceremony is a testament to the years to come,” she added. “Today we are writing a page of gold in the history of our people and our countries. We enthusiastically invite Israeli companies to come and invest in Kosovo, and look forward to many years of friendship. Hello and thank you (in Hebrew).”

After her remarks, Ashkenazi unveiled a sign from the Kosovo embassy in Jerusalem, which was placed at the Foreign Ministry. In a few months, the sign will be installed on the front of the Kosovo Embassy in Jerusalem. Ashkenazi promised to unveil the sign again together with Kosovo’s foreign minister when it arrives in Jerusalem.

Due to the closure and restrictions of the Corona, and the cancellation of the arrival of the Kosovo delegation to Jerusalem, the parties decided to hold the ceremony through the zoom, and this is the first time that countries have established diplomatic relations virtually. As part of the ceremony, and after the ministers sign the cooperation agreements, the two foreign ministries will forward the agreements by email to each other for further signature by the ministers.

The event will be marked by the unveiling ceremony of the sign located at the entrance to the Kosovo Embassy in Jerusalem, an embassy that is due to open in a few months. The ceremony will also be attended by representatives of the US administration of Joe Biden – the head of the embassy in Israel and the US ambassador to Pristina.

So far, Israel has refrained from recognizing Kosovo’s independence, so as not to create disputes with Serbia and Russia. The signing ceremony is in fact a summary of the move that President Donald Trump began at the Sept. 4 ceremony at the White House, and this is the first time in fact that the Biden administration has adopted an outline where the previous administration began.

As part of the agreement announced by Trump in September, Kosovo and Serbia agreed to establish economic relations. Under American pressure, Serbia also agreed to move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, while Israel recognized Kosovo. Kosovo has also promised to open an embassy in Jerusalem, and has already found a property in the city where it will open. The embassy will open in a few months with the arrival of the interim commissioner on behalf of Kosovo. Kosovo will be the third country in the world to have an embassy in Jerusalem, after the United States and Guatemala. It will also be the first country with a Muslim majority to open an embassy in the Israeli capital.

Israel’s recognition of Kosovo came after it made many efforts to persuade Israel to recognize it, and even sent delegations to Jerusalem and examined the possibility of establishing a business office in Israel. Former Kosovo president accused Tachi stated two years ago that if Israel recognized Kosovo – his country would open an embassy in Jerusalem. This weekend, when she announced the ceremony, saying Kosovo’s foreign minister said the establishment of the relationship was a “historic moment”, adding: “Recognition of us by Israel is one of the greatest achievements for Kosovo, and comes at an important moment for us, and thanks to the United States – our eternal and common ally.”

The Foreign Ministry notes that the two countries have previously maintained relations through the Israeli embassy in Belgrade. The Israeli Foreign Ministry will now appoint a mobile ambassador to Kosovo, based in Jerusalem. Although it will open an embassy in Israel, there is currently no plan to establish an Israeli embassy in Pristina, the capital of Kosovo.