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Anadolu Agency (09 September 2019)

Kosovo, Serbia need agreement for mutual recognition, says North Macedonian party leader.

A long-term peace in the Balkans is impossible without Turkey, according to a top North Macedonian politician.

The leader of the AlternAtivA political party Afrim Gashi, who is part of the broad government coalition in northern Macedonia, evaluated the latest developments in Western Balkans and his country's relations with Turkey.

Turkey plays an important role in the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo, Gashi told Anadolu Agency.

"A long-term peace in the Balkans is impossible without Turkey," Gashi said.

"Turkey's involvement would not only facilitate an agreement between Serbia and Kosovo, but it would also benefit Turkey to have good relations with Albanians. Also, as a NATO member and a strong U.S. partner in NATO, Turkey can be the guarantor of peace," he added.

Gashi stressed the need for a dialogue that would eventually lead to mutual recognition, adding that such an agreement would improve Kosovo-Serbia relations and bring long-term peace to the Balkans as well.

He also said they had very productive meetings during a recent delegation visit to Turkey, which he led.

The aim of the visit was to attract Turkish investors to North Macedonia, and they wanted to improve economic as well as institutional ties between the two countries, Gashi said.

To read the rest of the article please click: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/long-term-peace-in-balkans-impossible-without-turkey/1576878