Kosovo normalizes ties with Israel, recognizes Jerusalem as capital

Israel and Kosovo established diplomatic ties on Monday,  recognizing Jerusalem as the Jewish state’s capital. In a ceremony held over Zoom in Jerusalem and Pristina, Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and his counterpart from Kosovo Meliza Haradinaj Stublla signed on 1 of February 2021 a joint declaration establishing ties. Ashkenazi sayid he has approved Kosovo’s “formal request to open an embassy in Jerusalem.” During a signing ceremony held via Zoom video conference, Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said the new ties were "historic" and "reflect a change in the region and in the Arab (and) Muslim world's relationship with Israel".
Ashkenazi said he had received an official request from Kosovo to establish a Jerusalem embassy, which Israeli officials hope will open by end-March. Only two countries - the United States and Guatemala - have embassies in Jerusalem. Others, including Malawi and Honduras, have pledged to make the move. 
The ceremony included the unveiling of a commemorative plaque that will be placed at the entrance to Kosovo's embassy in Jerusalem upon opening. 
Kosovo Foreign Minister Meliza Haradinaj-Stublla said Kosovo and Israel share a "historic bond" and had both "witnessed a long and challenging path to existing as a people and becoming states". She underlined that she had spoken in recent days with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who she said voiced President Joe Biden's support for Kosovo's new relations with Israel and economic agreement with Serbia.
Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Olta Xhacka declared that this event marks another confirmation that statehood of Kosovo is an unchangeable reality and our reagon is today much safer and stable. This agreement is an historic development which confirms the traditional friendship between our people. She expressed as well the gratitude towards the crucial role of the USA in the finalization of this agreement.