Syria recognizes Kosovo's independence following Riyadh summit

Syria has officially extended diplomatic recognition to Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state, following high-level trilateral discussions in the Saudi capital of Riyadh. The landmark decision, announced by Syria's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday, marks a significant shift in Damascus's position and opens the path for establishing formal bilateral relations between the two nations.

The Riyadh Negotiations

The recognition emerged from talks involving Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Kosovan President Vjosa Osmani. The trilateral meeting focused on enhancing mutual understanding and bilateral cooperation, with the issue of mutual recognition forming a central part of the discussions. Syria specifically acknowledged Saudi Arabia's diplomatic role in facilitating the dialogue that created favorable conditions for the recognition.

Principles Behind the Decision

In its official statement, the Syrian Arab Republic explained that its recognition stems from "its belief in the right of peoples to self-determination and its commitment to promoting peace and stability in the Balkans and the world." The decision aligns with Syria's broader foreign policy approach of expanding international cooperation and openness with countries worldwide to serve common interests and strengthen friendships between nations.

Future Bilateral Relations

Damascus has expressed its intention to move quickly toward establishing full diplomatic relations with Pristina. The Syrian Foreign Ministry stated it looks forward to developing comprehensive cooperation across political, economic, and cultural fields to benefit both countries and their peoples. This development represents another significant step in Kosovo's ongoing efforts to gain broader international recognition since declaring independence in 2008.