Latvian President Supports Lifting EU Measures Against Kosovo, Expresses Ambiguity About Candidate Country's Status

The President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkevics, has said that Latvia is in favor of lifting the EU's restrictive measures against Kosovo.

Rinkevics also stressed that he supports the full normalization of relations between Pristina and Belgrade.

"We also discussed the lifting of EU measures against Kosovo, and my country's position is that the EU should lift those restrictive measures. The sooner this is done, the better. We also support the full normalization of relations between Pristina and Belgrade, the continuation of the dialogue because we believe that this is the best way to improve stability and security in the region in the longer term," said Rinkevics.

Read too Osmani: Time for the EU to remove unfair measures against Kosovo  

Rinkevics further said that he cannot promise that EU candidate country status can be granted to Kosovo by the end of the year, stating that "I cannot speak on behalf of all member states."

The Latvian President made these comments at a press conference, following his meeting with President Vjosa Osmani in Pristina.

He further emphasized that they are interested in strengthening our political and economic relations.

"Latvia fully supports Kosovo's integration into international organizations. You have our full support for membership in the Council of Europe. You also have full support from Latvia for the European integration process," Rinkevics said.

Rinkevics finally thanked Kosovo for its support for Ukraine, and publicly invited President Osmani to visit Latvia.

"You are welcome to visit Latvia," said the Latvian president. /Telegraph/