Spain's position on Kosovo to remain unchanged - ambassador

BELGRADE - Spanish Ambassador to Serbia Raul Bartolome Molina said on Friday Spain's position on the Kosovo issue would remain unchanged and noted that the fact Spain supported the efforts of EU facilitators to resolve the present situation did not mean the position would change.

In an interview to Tanjug, Molina said Chapter 35 in the EU accession process mentioned normalisation of relations, not recognition.

He noted there was a consensus about that among Spain's main political parties.

"So, if there is a change of government in Spain after the elections, I can assure you that there will be no change to the position because there is a consensus about that," he said.

He said the present situation in Kosovo was worrying but added that he hoped negotiations would lead to a solution.

Molina said Spain was concerned over developments there because it only saw crisis after crisis.

He said his country supported an EU plan for finding a solution.

Molina said the situation was serious but that Spain hoped talks would lead to a solution.

The ambassador said Spain's position was that it did not recognise Kosovo but that it supported Serbia's efforts to normalise relations with Kosovo.

The Kosovo side has not accepted the establishment of a Community of Serb Municipalities, which it must do, and that is the beginning of a solution, Molina said.