Macedonia, Kosovo to exchange ambassadors within three months

Macedonia and Kosovo will exchange ambassadors within three months, said Macedonian foreign ministers Antonio Milososki and his Kosovo counterpart Skender Hyseni on Friday at a joint press conference in Skopje.

Hyseni is on his first ever official visit to neighboring Macedonia after Pristina and Skopje signed a mutual border agreement last month and pledged to establish full diplomatic relations.

"Today's meeting opens a new page in the Macedonia-Kosovo relations. I believe this will be of benefit not only to the two neighbors, but also for the development of regional stability and economic cooperation", Milososki said.

He stated that the embassy opening is no longer an issue of political will, but one of protocol and time, expecting the procedure to last 2-3 months.

Hyseni noted that the meeting in Skopje opened the possibility for fresh bilateral cooperation, whereas the partnership would serve as positive regional model.

Both men especially focused on intensifying of cooperation in the energy field, trade and police cooperation.

Macedonia recognised Kosovo's newly declared independence from Serbia last year but tied the establishment of diplomatic relations to the marking of the border line.

Skopje's move draws ire from Belgrade who sent a protest note. Serbia sees Kosovo as its own province.

Following the 1999 NATO military intervention against Serbia, Kosovo became international protectorate and last year declared independence with the backing from the United States and the majority of EU countries.

Macedonia had to balance good relations with Macedonia and Serbia since it has significant economic and political ties with both of them.

Later during the day Hyseni met Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov. He is also to meet Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, as wellas Parliament Vice-Speaker Rafiz Aliti.

Source: Xinhua