Hoti: Israel recognized Kosovo 22 minutes after the Washington agreement

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti stated on Wednesday that Israel recognized Kosovo 22 minutes after he and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić committed in Washington to normalize economic relations between the two countries.

"It is wrong for anyone to have doubts that this agreement violates the sovereignty of the state of Kosovo. I think this recognition, which came from Israel 22 minutes after signing the agreement at the White House, can only strengthen the sovereignty of the state of Kosovo," Hoti told reporters.

He said that he "does not doubt that the agreement will be implemented," reported N1 television.

"It was concluded at the White House, and I do not believe that any other office has greater credibility to ensure the implementation of the agreement," Hoti stated.

Vučić and Hoti committed to normalizing economic relations at the White House on Friday. In the presence of US President Donald Trump, they each signed their copy of the document called "Economic Normalization." The documents differ only in the last of the 16 points.

In the document signed by Vučić, the last point reads: "Serbia (Belgrade) agrees to open a Chamber of Commerce office and a state office in Jerusalem on September 20, 2020, and to move its embassy to Jerusalem by July 1, 2021."

In the document signed by Hoti, the last point reads: "Kosovo (Pristina) and Israel agree to mutual recognition."

Despite this, the debate continues in the Serbian public about whether Serbia unconditionally committed to moving its embassy to Jerusalem by July 1, 2021.

The newspaper "Times of Israel" reported today that Serbia will not fulfill its promise to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem if Israel recognizes Kosovo's independence, citing a source close to the government in Belgrade.

Vučić's media advisor Suzana Vasiljević stated today that the relocation of Serbia's embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem "is not final," that further steps will be discussed, and that Serbia "has not accepted anything for now."