“Two Germanies example for Serbia”

Serbia can "cooperate with Kosovo, without recognizing its independence", according to the British ambassador in Belgrade. An example for this, daily Danas quoted Stephen Wordsworth as saying, was the relationship between West and East Germany. “Two Germanies example for Serbia” The ambassador also said it was "important that Belgrade and Pristina started to communicate about practical problems, which did not have to include a formal recognition of independence because countries could mutually cooperate although they had not recognized each other", the newspaper writes. When asked if "Serbia’s cooperation with Kosovo" included a "series of relations which in fact represented silent recognition of Kosovo’s independence", Wordsworth replied that "some people saw 'recognition' in a very inflexible, old-fashioned way". “Countries can mutually cooperate even though they have not recognized one another. Former West Germany (Federal Republic of Germany) did not recognize East Germany (German Democratic Republic), but they had regular meetings and bilateral agreements." "Moreover, President of East Germany Erich Honecker even visited Bonn, the capital of West Germany, in 1987. That’s as if, for example, Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci came here to Belgrade on an official visit. However, East Germany held to its position that all that did not equal a recognition of independence, so it did not. In fact, a country can practically have any kind of contacts with another country without recognizing it formally,” the British ambassador elaborated.

“Two Germanies example for Serbia”

The ambassador also said it was "important that Belgrade and Priština started to communicate about practical problems, which did not have to include a formal recognition of independence because countries could mutually cooperate although they had not recognized each other", the newspaper writes.

When asked if "Serbia’s cooperation with Kosovo" included a "series of relations which in fact represented silent recognition of Kosovo’s independence", Wordsworth replied that "some people saw 'recognition' in a very inflexible, old-fashioned way".

“Countries can mutually cooperate even though they have not recognized one another. Former West Germany (Federal Republic of Germany) did not recognize East Germany (German Democratic Republic), but they had regular meetings and bilateral agreements."

"Moreover, President of East Germany Erich Honecker even visited Bonn, the capital of West Germany, in 1987. That’s as if, for example, Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci came here to Belgrade on an official visit. However, East Germany held to its position that all that did not equal a recognition of independence, so it did not. In fact, a country can practically have any kind of contacts with another country without recognizing it formally,” the British ambassador elaborated.