
Greece says it has decided to upgrade the status of Pristina’s trade office in Athens and adds the recognition of Kosovo has not been an issue, the Greek ‘I Kathimerini’ daily has reported on Friday, during Nikos Dendias, the chief of the Greek diplomacy, visit to Pristina.
The daily said the Minister’s visit came “in a particularly critical phase,’ when Athens was under pressure regarding the level of its diplomatic relations with Kosovo.”
“Although the possibility of recognising that country (Kosovo) is not talked about in Athens, the upgrade of Kosovo’s trade mission in Greece has been decided upon,” the daily said.
That means, the paper adds, the discussion about political issues at the level of foreign ministries’ directorates will be possible in the office.
However, it added the office “won’t have access to Greek Foreign Minister, his deputy, general-secretary, and will not be allowed to use Kosovo’s symbols and flag.”
The paper quoted its sources saying, “that will possibly be the last concession Athens can offer to Pristina in this phase.”
The main reasons for Greece’s refusal to recognise Kosovo’s independence are that it will be a precedent regarding its issue with divided Cyprus and Athens’ dispute with Ankara over it, the paper has said.