Acceptance of passports of so-called Kosovo is no recognition - Spanish MFA

MADRID - In response to a Tanjug query, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain has noted that the country's acceptance of the use of passports of the so-called Kosovo in no way meant a recognition of the so-called Kosovo by Spain.

Asked by Tanjug to clarify whether a change of position has occurred and why the passports have been accepted, the ministry said on Monday all Schengen states that did not recognise the so-called Kosovo had accepted the use of standard "Kosovo" passports and that, without that change, holders of such passports would have difficulties with legally visiting states that did not recognise the so-called Kosovo.

Spain favours, and will continue to favour, the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue as a way of solving this issue, and is striving to minimise its impact on citizens, the ministry added.

The "Kosovo" designation does not prejudge the positions on its status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the opinion of the International Court of Justice on the declaration of independence of "Kosovo", it also said.