Spain took over the presidency of the European Union on 1 July, and will hold it until December of this year.<\/p>\n
Spanish Ambassador to Belgrade Raul Bartolome Molina emphasized that his country\u2019s position is clear: Spain does not recognize the independence of Kosovo, while supporting the EU\u2019s efforts to normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis position has not changed, nor will it change, and all our allies know this very well,\u201d Bartolome said on June 30.<\/p>\n
Spain is one of the five European Union countries that do not recognize the independence of Kosovo, along with Slovakia, Romania, Greece, and Cyprus.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Since 9 January, the Swedish Presidency of the European Union had initiated consultations with member states regarding Kosovo\u2019s request for membership in the European Union.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Kosovo had submitted its formal membership request to the EU on 15 December.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
It is unclear how the work regarding Kosovo\u2019s membership request will continue during the Spanish presidency as a country that does not recognize Kosovo\u2019s independence.<\/p>\n
President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani wrote on Twitter that she expects \u201cto continue our efforts to bring Kosovo closer to the EU during the Spanish presidency\u201d and wished them a \u201csuccessful presidency\u201d.<\/p>\n
\nAs Sweden concludes its @EUCouncil<\/a> Presidency, I thank @SwedishPM<\/a> Ulf Kristersson for his leadership and commitment to security & stability in Europe.<\/p>\n
We look forward to continue our efforts to bring Kosovo closer to the EU during @eu2023es<\/a> & wish Spain a successful presidency.<\/p>\n
— Vjosa Osmani (@VjosaOsmaniPRKS) July 1, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n