Pashinyan receives Kurti in Paris with Kosovo flag; Serbian media see sign of recognition

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti in Paris. The flags of both countries were displayed on the meeting table, while in a social media post Pashinyan described Kurti as the “prime minister of Kosovo.”

The meeting took place on November 10 during the ninth Paris Peace Forum. Pashinyan had arrived in the French capital a day earlier for a working visit.

On Facebook, the Armenian prime minister shared photos and videos of the meeting with the caption “Meeting with the prime minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti.”

The Armenian Prime Minister’s Office, cited by Armenian state news agency Armenpress, said the two prime ministers discussed opportunities to develop relations between their countries. They stressed the importance of expanding economic and trade ties and exchanged views on regional issues, including the opportunities created by the peace reached between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The meeting drew the attention of Serbian media. The Belgrade daily “Novosti” interpreted the reception as a possible sign that Armenia is preparing to recognize Kosovo, pointing to the use of Kurti’s title and the presence of Kosovo’s flag.

According to “Novosti,” Pashinyan and Kurti have met before in Munich and Yerevan, but this is the first time the Armenian prime minister has publicly used the title “prime minister of Kosovo” alongside Kosovo’s flag. “It seems it has begun,” the newspaper wrote, adding that Serbia’s politicians would have to address the issue.

Armenia has not recognized Kosovo’s independence to date, and Yerevan has made no official announcement of a change in position.

Contacts between Kosovo and Armenia have increased this year. On May 3, while in Yerevan for the European Political Community Summit, Kurti was received by Pashinyan for a bilateral meeting at the Armenian government headquarters.

During that meeting, Kurti thanked Armenia for the contribution of its armed forces to KFOR and the Armenian government for the growing cooperation between the two countries.