Kosovo FM Donika Gervalla–Schwarz: ‘We are not begging for recognition from Greece’

Interview by Panagiotis Michos

We are not begging for the recognition from Greece, points out Donika Gervalla - Schwarz in her exclusive interview with To Vima.

Kosovo's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister-Diaspora, who was in Athens in the past few days, explains that her country is seeking closer relations with Greece, which she describes as an «important and wise actor» in the Balkans. At the same time, she insists on the need for the Belgrade - Pristina dialogue to be meaningful, arguing that Serbia must accept «that Kosovo is and will remain an independent country». In this context, she asks Athens to play a mediating role in the issue, while clearly emphasising the Western orientation of her country.

What are your expectations for the future of bilateral relations and in which areas do you see room for improvement? Could economic ties bring Greece and Kosovo closer?

We are pretty optimistic about our relationship with Greece. Greece is a significant and wise actor in this part of Europe, which is our shared neighborhood. We all are interested in stability and in intensifying economic, cultural, and political cooperation. I'm glad to meet influential members of the Greek business community again, which I had the privilege to address during the pandemic online and in Thessaloniki already before. At the same time, I'm glad to meet others, like experts on European foreign affairs, for an exchange here for the first time. Trade and economic cooperation and dialogue about our common European future are always suitable for paving the way for getting our countries and our people closer together. But I also believe in the tremendous impact of cultural exchange and the exchange of young people. So I have invited...