Spain took over the presidency of the European Union on 1 July, and will hold it until December of this year.

Spanish Ambassador to Belgrade Raul Bartolome Molina emphasized that his country’s position is clear: Spain does not recognize the independence of Kosovo, while supporting the EU’s efforts to normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia.

“This position has not changed, nor will it change, and all our allies know this very well,” Bartolome said on June 30.

Spain is one of the five European Union countries that do not recognize the independence of Kosovo, along with Slovakia, Romania, Greece, and Cyprus.

According to the predetermined order, Spain took over the EU presidency for six months after Sweden, which held it in the first half of this year.

Since 9 January, the Swedish Presidency of the European Union had initiated consultations with member states regarding Kosovo’s request for membership in the European Union.

According to EU procedures, after a state applies for membership, the Council requests the European Commission to prepare an opinion on whether the applicant meets the conditions for candidate status and the start of accession negotiations.

Kosovo had submitted its formal membership request to the EU on 15 December.

The former Czech Presidency did not have time to examine that request but only informed the member states about its submission. Then, the Swedish Presidency took over that dossier.

It is unclear how the work regarding Kosovo’s membership request will continue during the Spanish presidency as a country that does not recognize Kosovo’s independence.

President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani wrote on Twitter that she expects “to continue our efforts to bring Kosovo closer to the EU during the Spanish presidency” and wished them a “successful presidency”.

As Sweden concludes its @EUCouncil Presidency, I thank @SwedishPM Ulf Kristersson for his leadership and commitment to security & stability in Europe.

We look forward to continue our efforts to bring Kosovo closer to the EU during @eu2023es & wish Spain a successful presidency.

— Vjosa Osmani (@VjosaOsmaniPRKS) July 1, 2023

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez began Spain’s six-month presidency with the European Union with a surprise visit to Kiev on Saturday to underline the bloc’s support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s invasion.

Meanwhile, previously speaking in Brussels, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that “the war in Ukraine will be one of the main priorities of our presidency”.

On 1 July, Sanchez began Spain’s presidency of the European Union with a visit to Kiev. This was Sanchez’s third visit to Kiev since Russia launched its unprovoked invasion in February 2022.

In addition to Ukraine, Spain hopes to make progress on several key EU issues during its presidency, which ends on 31 December.

Sanchez believes that the EU will finalize a controversial migration pact, despite ongoing differences within the visible 27-member bloc.

Belgium and Hungary will hold the presidency of the EU next year.