Romania Will Recognize Kosovo Passports Only As Identification Proof

“Due to Romania’s rejection of Kosovo’s independence, the country will not recognize any document or paper issued by the authorities in Pristina, or the “passports” issued by Kosovo authorities,” the ministry said.

According to the ministry, the only documents Romania will recognize are the passports and the travel documents issued by the Serbian authorities.

“Romanian authorities may recognize, based on international practice, certain legal effects of the papers issued by the Kosovar authorities, which include ensuring the right to free circulation for the inhabitants of the province, even if they show passports issued by local authorities, fact which does not entail that Romania recognizes the independence of Kosovo,” the Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry referred to the travel documents issued by the authorities in Kosovo, saying they are valid “for the sole purpose of proving the owner’s identity, while Romanian authorities will not take any measure that would imply the recognition of Kosovo’s independence, such as stamping a visa on the respective passport for the entry or exit from the Romanian territory.”

“If a person shows a passport issued by the Kosovo authorities, the visa will be applied on a separate sheet attached to the travel document, which implies that Romanian authorities will not recognize Kosovo’s sovereignty by legitimizing the authorities that issued the identity documents and the travel documents,” the ministry said.

People who show passports issued in Pristina will be regarded as stateless persons, subjected to specific regulations.

The Romanian Foreign Ministry informed on the matter, after the website New Kosova Report posted Prime Minister Hashim Thaci’s statements during a press conference, according to which "Romania and Slovakia have recognized the Republic of Kosovo passports”.

The website also specified that he expressed “his gratitude for the contribution on maintaining the stability in the Balkans”. “Thaci also thanked Portugal for recognizing the independence of Kosovo,” the website said.

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