EU's approach to Kosovo "status-neutral" - spokesperson

Brussels, 11 February 2015 (MIA) - The European Union is "strongly committed to the principle of neutrality on the Kosovo status," a spokesperson for EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has said.

"We are status neutral both in bilateral contacts and in the dialogue on normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, Kocijancic told a news conference on Wendesday.

Kocijancic was replying to a question posed by an Albanian reporter who wanted to know "why the flag of Kosovo was not displayed during the meeting between Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa and Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn on Monday."

"Recognition or non-recognition of Kosovo is a decision which member countries should adopt independently," the spokesperson said, reflecting on the fact that five EU member countries did not recognize Kosovo.

Asked whether this means that "Kosovo does not exist for the EU," Kocijancic replied that the EU was "very engaged in an attempt to improve the life of Kosovo citizens and encourage reforms," and recalled that EULEX is the largest EU mission in the world.