Turkey condemns Kosovo's opening embassy in Al-Quds

Turkey on Sunday condemned the decision by the Balkan state of Kosovo to open an embassy to Israel in the flashpoint city of Al-Quds (Jerusalem).

Opening the embassy was an extremely "unfortunate" decision taken by the leaders of a people who endured great suffering to gain their independence, said a Turkish Foreign Ministry statement.

The decision ignored the plight of the Palestinian people, who have lived under occupation for decades and suffered grave human rights violations it added.

"By acting this way, Kosovar leaders have violated the established parameters of the peace process, including the relevant UN resolutions on the status of Al-Quds, and damaged the vision of a two-state solution and peace hopes in the region," the statement said.

The ministry also urged the leaders of Kosovo to use common sense and reverse this irresponsible and unlawful step.