BELGIUM: European Union says it is up to national governments to recognise Kosovo's independence

Record ID: 824497

  • Title: BELGIUM: European Union says it is up to national governments to recognise Kosovo's independence
  • Date: 19th February 2008
  • Summary: (EU) BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (FEBRUARY 18, 2008) (REUTERS) WIDE OF FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER BERNARD KOUCHNER SEATED JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (French) BERNARD KOUCHNER, FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER, SAYING: "I see big headlines saying "Europe divided", but what divisions? We knew that very well, we dedicated seven, eight meetings and many hours, we knew there would be different positions. But it's not because there are different positions, because some countries have real difficulties within their borders, that there is no unity, on the contrary. You will see, there will be a text to say that everyone, since it's a national decision, everybody is free to make their own decisions. But frankly, it's not surprising. We have been working on it for nine years. And so, I am telling you on the contrary, this is a great success for Europe, a great success for the Kosovars and definitely not a failure for Serbia, definitely not. This will also be a success for our Serb friends who I hope would soon join us within the European Union.''
  • Embargoed: 5th March 2008 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Belgium
  • Country: Belgium
  • Topics: International Relations,European Union
  • Reuters ID: LVAAJZN5HELWIM6RKC0G7G2DS91V
  • Story Text: Up to 17 nations in the 27-nation bloc use the Brussels meeting of foreign ministers to recognise the breakaway region.
    Europe's biggest states recognised the independence of Kosovo on Monday (February 18), ending hours of suspense after Prime Minister Hashim Thaci assured his new republic that Western recognition would come "any minute".
    At the final news conference in Brussels EU Foreign Policy chief Javier Solana said the the entire Western Balkans would one day join the bloc.
    The EU has vowed to work for stability in the region while leaving each member free to decide on recognising Kosovo's independence.
    The ministers stressed that Kosovo was a unique case which did not set a precedent for other breakaway regions in the world or call into question international legal principles because of the Yugoslav conflicts of the 1990s.
    Slovenia, which holds the EU presidency, said it expected many of the 27 member states to recognise Kosovo's declaration of independence. Germany said 17 EU states had recognised it thus far.
    Solana said the important issue for him was to move forward in the process of integrating the whole of the Western Balkans into Europe.
    Enlargement Commissioner Ollli Rehn said the EU had made the first step by respecting national governments within the union of 27 countries and the EU would continue to discuss Kosovo in the coming weeks and months," Rehn said.
    The smooth response Thaci had expected from the EU and the United States was tripped up earlier, when EU member Spain broke ranks to say "no".
    Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said in a statement that Spain would not recognise the unilaterial declaration of independence by Kosovo.
    "The government of Spain will not recognise the unilateral act proclaimed yesterday by the assembly of Kosovo. We will not recognise it because we consider it does not respect international law. The government of Spain has always respected international law. We defended when we decided to withdraw our troops from Iraq. We defend it today when it's about the secession of a state." Moratinos said. However Kosovo confidently expects recognition from up to 100 other governments.
    Like Greece, Slovakia and Bulgaria, the Republic of Cyprus also indicated they will not recognise Kosovo now because of legal misgivings or concern about restive minorities in their own countries. Cypriot foreign minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, said: "The Republic of Cyprus expresses regret for the unilateral declaration of independence on the part of the majority of Kosovo which constitutes a violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia."
    French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said independence was "a great success for Europe" and not a defeat for Serbia, which had the prospect of joining the European Union.
    "I see big headlines saying "Europe divided", but what divisions? We knew that very well, we dedicated seven, eight meetings and many hours, we knew there would be different positions. But it's not because there are different positions, because some countries have real difficulties within their borders, that there is no unity, on the contrary. You will see, there will be a text to say that everyone, since it's a national decision, everybody is free to make their own decisions. But frankly, it's not surprising. We have been working on it for nine years. And so, I am telling you on the contrary, this is a great success for Europe, a great success for the Kosovars and definitely not a failure for Serbia, definitely not. This will also be a success for our Serb friends who I hope would soon join us within the European Union,'' Kouchner said.
    Britain also joined Europe's biggest states in recognising the independence of Kosovo ending hours of suspense after Prime Minister Hashim Thaci assured his new republic of swift Western recognition.
    "On behalf of the United Kingdom, I can announce that the British government has decided to recognise Kosovo. We will do so alongside other European countries; at least half, I would estimate from the discussions today, will recognize Kosovo this week. We have written the Prime Minister Thaci informing him of the decision," British Foreign Secretary David Miliband told journalists.
    Russia, Serbia's closest ally, prevented the U.N. Security Council from adopting his blueprint for supervised independence last year. That led Kosovo to declare statehood in co-ordination with Western powers.
    The EU ministers were expected to adopt a statement taking note of Kosovo's declaration, pledging to work for stability and reaffirming the "European perspective" of the entire Western Balkans -- a code phrase for eventual EU membership.
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