In a notable development for Kosovo, Spain has agreed to recognize passports from the Balkan state. This decision is a significant shift, as Spain was previously one of five European Union (EU) countries that did not recognize Kosovo’s passports or its statehood. Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi shared the news, expressing it as good news for the citizens and the country.
Bislimi, who leads Kosovo’s EU dialogue team, explained that this change comes at a time when visa-free movement for Kosovars in the Schengen area began on January 1. He highlighted that Spain’s recognition of Kosovar passports removes a major hurdle previously faced by its citizens.
Foreign Minister Donika Gervalla-Schwarz reiterated this development on social media, stating that Kosovar citizens can now travel to Spain with their national passports from January 1, 2024. However, she emphasized that this does not imply Spain’s official recognition of Kosovo as an independent state.
Spain’s decision follows the recent EU visa liberalization scheme that allows Kosovar nationals to travel visa-free to Europe’s Schengen zone. Kosovars can now enter the zone without a visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This move is seen in Pristina as a step closer to full international recognition and bolsters Kosovo’s aspirations of joining the EU.
Kosovo, with a population of 1.8 million, declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and has since been recognized by 22 of the EU’s member states, excluding Spain, Slovakia, Cyprus, Romania, and Greece. The recent visa waiver makes Kosovo the last of the six Western Balkan countries to receive such a concession, previously having access to only 14 countries worldwide without a visa.
To date, over 100 states have recognized Kosovo’s statehood, including the United States, while Serbia’s allies, Russia and China, have not. Spain’s move to recognize Kosovo’s passports represents a meaningful step towards broader international acceptance and integration for the young Balkan nation.
