Slovakia will close the liaison office in Kosovo

On December 31, Slovakia will withdraw its liaison office in Kosovo. The authorities in Pristina have not interpreted the decision as a degradation of relations with the state that is part of the EU 5, which has not yet recognized independence. And, the opposition emphasized that the decision is a consequence of the Ohrid agreement

The Government of Kosovo has accepted as a matter of course the decision of Slovakia to close the liaison office in Pristina from next year.

In a written response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora (MPJD) has assessed that the decision is part of an internal reorganization of Slovakia's diplomatic network. According to this ministry, such restructurings of diplomatic networks, in accordance with strategic objectives and limited resources, are also evident in other countries.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of the Republic of Kosovo, based on the clarifications of this announcement, assesses that the decision is part of an internal reorganization of the diplomatic network of Slovakia. Such restructuring of diplomatic networks in accordance with strategic objectives and limited resources are also evident in other countries", the ministry's response states.

In Pristina, they expressed their position to maintain relations with the country that is part of the five member countries of the European Union that have not yet recognized Kosovo's independence.

"Kosovo remains committed to maintaining and strengthening the relations it has developed with Slovakia, either through the liaison office, or through meetings in other forums at the regional, European and global level", says the response of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

After Slovakia's decision, former chief diplomat Enver Hoxhaj, who is a member of the Democratic Party, the largest political entity in the opposition, reacted. He estimated that the decision is a consequence of the agreement reached between Kosovo and Serbia in Ohrid. 

also Arberi October 23, 2024 Kosovo aims to strengthen relations with Slovakia despite the closure of the liaison office

"The 2013 agreement opened the way for several recognitions, from Egypt to Singapore, Pakistan and many other countries! The Washington Agreement brought recognition of Israel, the Ohrid Agreement pushed Slovakia to close its office in Pristina and cover Kosovo from Belgrade. So much for Albin Kurti's foreign policy!" Hoxhaj wrote on social networks.

In addition to the liaison office in Kosovo, Slovakia has decided to close the embassies in Denmark and Norway and the consulates in Krakow and Saint-Petersburg on December 31.