The independance of Kosovo
As of 17 February, Europe has a new state that will not be viable in the long-term without international assistance. What challenges will this present for the EU?
euro|topics-Dossiers
Main focus of Friday, 22. February 2008
Kosovo's leaders proclaimed unilateral independence for the Serb province and its Albanian majority, on February 17. Since then, the number of countries adding their names to the list recognising the ... » more
Kosovo's leaders proclaimed unilateral independence for the Serb province and its Albanian majority, on February 17. Since then, the number of countries adding their names to the list recognising the state has been growing. And the European press is overflowing with contradictory opinions over the moral and legal basis of recognition.
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU Policy, » Europe, » Global, » South East Europe
Main focus of Monday, 18. February 2008
On 17 February 2008, Kosovo declared independence. EU member countries have different views about whether the new country should be recognised. What is the impact ... » more
On 17 February 2008, Kosovo declared independence. EU member countries have different views about whether the new country should be recognised. What is the impact of this development on the region and within Europe?
More from the press review on the subject » EU enlargement, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Minorities, » Serbia
Main focus of Thursday, 14. February 2008
Kosovo may decide to declare its independence this coming Sunday, February 17. What would be the consequences of such a step? » more
Kosovo may decide to declare its independence this coming Sunday, February 17. What would be the consequences of such a step?
More from the press review on the subject » EU enlargement, » EU Policy, » Europe, » South East Europe, » Serbia
All available articles from » Thomas Fuster
Main focus of Friday, 28. December 2007
Serbia's parliament has confirmed the country's claim to Kosovo, thus calling into question Serbia's perspectives as a future EU member. Now, Slovenia is to play a special intermediary role in the conflict over Kosovo: » more
Serbia's parliament has confirmed the country's claim to Kosovo, thus calling into question Serbia's perspectives as a future EU member. Now, Slovenia is to play a special intermediary role in the conflict over Kosovo: The first former Yugoslavian country to become independent, Slovenia rotates into the EU Council presidency in January.
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU enlargement, » EU Policy, » Slovenia, » Serbia
All available articles from » Adelheid Wölfl
Main focus of Friday, 7. December 2007
Next Monday, mediators from the US, Russia and the EU will present their final report on the future of Kosovo to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki ... » more
Next Monday, mediators from the US, Russia and the EU will present their final report on the future of Kosovo to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon. In it they officially declare the failure of the negotiations between the Serbs and Kosovo-Albanians. The Serb province now plans to declare independence. How can the EU contribute to stabilising the region?
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU enlargement, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Europe, » Serbia
Main focus of Thursday, 29. November 2007
The last round of talks on the future of Kosovo has come to an end without a result. The attempts of international diplomacy to mediate ... » more
The last round of talks on the future of Kosovo has come to an end without a result. The attempts of international diplomacy to mediate between Serbs and Kosovo-Albanians have failed. Will the Serb province now declare independence?
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » EU Policy, » Serbia
All available articles from » Nicola Tietze, » Sonja Fercher
Main focus of Monday, 19. November 2007
The Democratic Party (PDK) led by the former resistance fighter Hashim Thaçi has won Kosovo's parliamentary elections with an estimated 34 percent of the vote. ... » more
The Democratic Party (PDK) led by the former resistance fighter Hashim Thaçi has won Kosovo's parliamentary elections with an estimated 34 percent of the vote. The voter turnout in the Serb province, with its predominantly Albanian population, was just 45 percent. The Serb minority boycotted the elections. What challenges does the new government face?
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Domestic Policy, » South East Europe, » Serbia
All available articles from » Norbert Mappes-Niediek
Main focus of Friday, 16. November 2007
Legislative and council elections are being held on November 17th in Kosovo. This vote is taking place three weeks before the expiration of the time ... » more
Legislative and council elections are being held on November 17th in Kosovo. This vote is taking place three weeks before the expiration of the time fixed by the international community to try and define the future status of Kosovo. If current negotiations fail, Kosovar authorities have announced that they will proclaim unilateral independence.
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » EU Policy, » Central Europe
All available articles from » Denis Sieffert
Main focus of Friday, 5. October 2007
Direct discussions between Serbs and Kosovar's in New York last week did not make much progress on the status of the province. For his part, ... » more
Direct discussions between Serbs and Kosovar's in New York last week did not make much progress on the status of the province. For his part, the Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica presented himself before the Council of Europe on Tuesday, October 2nd, in order to plead against the independence of Kosovo. European commentators consider the resolution of this crisis is taking too long and endangering pace in the Balkans.
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » EU Policy, » Europe, » Serbia
All available articles from » Xavier Aldekoa
Main focus of Wednesday, 12. September 2007
European Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn described the Kosovo debate as a "test case for EU foreign policy" at last week's meeting of foreign ministers. ... » more
European Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn described the Kosovo debate as a "test case for EU foreign policy" at last week's meeting of foreign ministers. While the US supports independence for the Serbian province and Russia stoutly opposes it, the EU member states are seeking a common course.
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Europe, » Serbia
All available articles from » Ljubiša Tošic
Main focus of Tuesday, 12. June 2007
Washington would like the United Nations to swiftly pronounce a decision on the status of the Serbian province of Kosovo, which it would like to ... » more
Washington would like the United Nations to swiftly pronounce a decision on the status of the Serbian province of Kosovo, which it would like to see gain independence. Opposed to this, Russia is threatening to wield its veto. The European press analyses this complex diplomatic situation and ponders the possible consequences of Kosovo's independence.
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU enlargement, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Europe, » North America, » Serbia
Main focus of Tuesday, 30. January 2007
Serbia's incumbent president Vojislav Kostunica has announced that he will not receive UN Special Envoy for Kosovo Martti Ahtisaari on Friday in Belgrade. Ahtisaari intends ... » more
Serbia's incumbent president Vojislav Kostunica has announced that he will not receive UN Special Envoy for Kosovo Martti Ahtisaari on Friday in Belgrade. Ahtisaari intends to present his plan for a "supervised autonomy" of the Serb province of Kosovo on that day. What are the chances of limited independence for Kosovo?
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » South East Europe, » Serbia
All available articles from » Norbert Mappes-Niediek
Main focus of Monday, 30. October 2006
After the referendum held on October 28th and 29th, Serbian voters pronounced themselves by a narrow majority (52 %) in favour of a new constitution ... » more
After the referendum held on October 28th and 29th, Serbian voters pronounced themselves by a narrow majority (52 %) in favour of a new constitution assuring Serb sovereignty over Kosovo. Noting the very feeble participation in the elections (under 54 %), the European press considers that Belgrade will not be able to prevent the independence of the Albanian-speaking province.
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Countries
Bulgaria
ypern
Dnevnik - Bulgaria | Thursday, 14. February 2008
Ivo Indjev criticises Bulgaria's failure to adopt an official position on Kosovo: » more
Ivo Indjev criticises Bulgaria's failure to adopt an official position on Kosovo: "The EU supports Kosovo's independence and thus as an EU member Bulgaria is by implication on [Kosovo's] side. But tacitly ... the government is trying to sell its 'sitting on the fence' to the public as flexibility. In reality it is afraid of getting its face slapped - not by its own citizens but by the mighty hand of the Kremlin. ... We should not kid ourselves that we are neutral. When Bulgaria opposed nationalist tendencies in the Balkans and in 1992 became the first country to recognise the state of Macedonia, it became visible on the geo-political map. Foreign policy is, however, a projection of the mood at home. Seen in those terms one can say that in 1992 and in 1999 [when Bulgaria adopted a pro-NATO position in the conflict with Serbia] Bulgaria acted like an independent country - whereas now it is behaving like 'Russia's unfaithful wife'."
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All available articles from » Iwo Indjew
Germany
Die Zeit - Germany | Friday, 7. December 2007
"Two things appear to be unthinkable for Brussels: » more
"Two things appear to be unthinkable for Brussels: leaving a problem child on Europe's doorstep [like Kosovo] to its own devices and - more importantly - not letting it into the house of Europe in the long term," Jochen Bittner and Andrea Böhm explain. At the same time they make the following criticism: "No one in Brussels is willing to bet on how long it will take to make Kosovo a member of the European club. Nonetheless, EU diplomats are convinced that the only way to solve the Balkan problem is to gather all the countries of former Yugoslavia under one roof - or in other words, their integration into Europe. Such ambitions not only represent a huge challenge for the expansion-weary Union, they are also a provocation for its disgruntled neighbour, Russia. From Moscow's point of view the EU's efforts in the Balkans are an arrogant invasion of Russia's traditional zones of influence. Therefore it's very possible that a frozen conflict between Europe and Russia will crystallise in Kosovo."
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All available articles from » Jochen Bittner, » Andrea Böhm
Greece
Kathimerini - Greece | Monday, 11. February 2008
"Every nation seeks its independence and no one can blame the Kosovo Albanians for the persistence with which they have pursued theirs," writes the columnist ... » more
"Every nation seeks its independence and no one can blame the Kosovo Albanians for the persistence with which they have pursued theirs," writes the columnist Nikos Konstandaras in anticipation of Kosovo's impending declaration of independence. "What is less understandable is how Europe has acted in such a frivolous and thoughtless way as to stoke division in Serbia and send this important country into isolation. ... Unfortunately, in their demand that the Serbs accept the loss of Kosovo, with the promise of EU accession sometime in the distant future, European leaders do not appear to care much about what will happen [to] the Serbs ... If the Europeans truly wanted to solve the Balkans' most complicated problem (and win the steadfast cooperation of Serbia) they would put Serbia on a fast track to EU accession and make it crystal clear to the Albanians of Kosovo that they would get their independence on the day that they and the Serbs both become members of the European Union."
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All available articles from » Nikos Konstandaras
Britain
Open Democracy - United Kingdom | Friday, 5. October 2007
The sociologist Eric Gordy notes that "the Serbian government's rhetoric on Kosovo has been escalating over the past several weeks", but considers this "is not about influencing the outcome of the negotiations. It is not about protecting the remaining Serbs living in Kosovo either: » more
The sociologist Eric Gordy notes that "the Serbian government's rhetoric on Kosovo has been escalating over the past several weeks", but considers this "is not about influencing the outcome of the negotiations. It is not about protecting the remaining Serbs living in Kosovo either: if the government was concerned about them, it would have any number of topics to discuss with the negotiators from Kosovo, ranging from the protection of religious and cultural-heritage sites, the freedom of movement and the right of return, the resolution of conflicts over property, the assurance of minority representation in local government, and the prevention of periodic outbursts of violence against the Serb population. Although the government has shown much willingness to use these issues for rhetorical purposes, it has done little about addressing any of them in detail."
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All available articles from » Eric Gordy
Poland
Newsweek Polska - Poland | Monday, 25. February 2008
Aleksander Kaczorowski is complaining that the Visegrád group, consisting of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, has not been pursuing a common line on ... » more
Aleksander Kaczorowski is complaining that the Visegrád group, consisting of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, has not been pursuing a common line on Kosovo. "Poland is not among the countries that immediately recognized Kosovo's independence. ... Polish politicians must decide if we want to be among those countries that set the tone in European policy on this issue. Or would we rather wait to recognize Kosovan independence, to minimize damage to our relations with Belgrade? The Czechs, who traditionally bestow greater sympathy on the Serbs, prefer this option, as does the Hungarians, who are concerned about protecting their minority in the Serbian province of Vojvodina. ... If Polish politicians cannot find an optimal date for recognizing Kosovo, they should ask the advice of their partners in Prague and Budapest."
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All available articles from » Aleksander Kaczorowski
Switzerland
Neue Zürcher Zeitung - Switzerland | Monday, 7. January 2008
Serbian author Bora Cosic recalls how Kosovo Albanians were always treated as somehow less worthy than other Yugoslavians - even under Tito. "Now the end of the history of these poor people is looming on the horizon, people who have subsisted on grapes and sardines in their cellars and who make a great effort today to live off their land, according their own preference and with the right to independence, handling their own freedom with care. These industrious, proud and tough people have already made it clear how hard it is to deal with freedom. And so far they have managed to disappoint many of those who sympathize with them: » more
Serbian author Bora Cosic recalls how Kosovo Albanians were always treated as somehow less worthy than other Yugoslavians - even under Tito. "Now the end of the history of these poor people is looming on the horizon, people who have subsisted on grapes and sardines in their cellars and who make a great effort today to live off their land, according their own preference and with the right to independence, handling their own freedom with care. These industrious, proud and tough people have already made it clear how hard it is to deal with freedom. And so far they have managed to disappoint many of those who sympathize with them: Why do they have to burn down their neighbours' houses of worship? It's another reason why it's so hard for me to convince my fellow Serbians to leave the Kosovo Albanians in peace and let them deal with their own fate for once and for all."
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All available articles from » Bora Cosic
Slovakia
Sme - Slovakia | Thursday, 27. December 2007
Slovakian lawyer and political scientist Daniel Šmihula disagrees with the Kosovo-Albanians who say they would not have enough minority rights in a Serbian association of states. Rather, Šmihula warns, independence would lead to the creation of an ethnic ghetto: » more
Slovakian lawyer and political scientist Daniel Šmihula disagrees with the Kosovo-Albanians who say they would not have enough minority rights in a Serbian association of states. Rather, Šmihula warns, independence would lead to the creation of an ethnic ghetto: "Aren't we just realizing, ex post facto, Milosevic's vision of an ethnically clean Kosovo – but this time an Albanian Kosovo instead of a Serbian one?... In 1999, Slovakia supported the military deployment against Yugoslavia as a humanitarian intervention, in order to prevent ethnic cleansing. It was not intended to promote Kosovan separatism and a separation of Kosovo from Serbia. So Slovakia is not thrilled with the idea of Kosovan independence, just as it looks skeptically at all unilateral moves."
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Spain
El País - Spain | Monday, 25. February 2008
The Spanish political scientist José Ignacio Torreblanca considers that division within the member states over the recognition of Kosovo's independence once again underlines the limits ... » more
The Spanish political scientist José Ignacio Torreblanca considers that division within the member states over the recognition of Kosovo's independence once again underlines the limits of the EU. "Kosovo is another challenge for European power, a power that, despite an immense economic, demographic and political base, isn't managing to impose itself. In the absence of change, these challenges will be more and more frequent. The world as it has been shaped since the beginning of the century is moving in directions that are incompatible with the interests and values that Europe defends. Europe's problem is not that it lacks power, it is the fragmentation of this power that leads to inefficiency. In view of this fragmentation, we can understand why Moscow dares to defy Europeans so openly despite the fact that Europe has a population 3.5 times greater than Russia's, is 10 times greater in terms of military spending and 15 times greater in terms of its economy."
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All available articles from » José Ignacio Torreblanca
El País - Spain | Wednesday, 20. February 2008
In a text published by several European newspapers, the Croatian writer Slavenka Drakulic explains that he feels a mixture of hope and fear regarding Kosovo's ... » more
In a text published by several European newspapers, the Croatian writer Slavenka Drakulic explains that he feels a mixture of hope and fear regarding Kosovo's independence. "The 2.2 million people who make up Serbia's Albanian minority have been the victims of the brutality of their neighbours, of Milosevic, of his police and of his army, who carried out ethnic cleansing. This gives them the moral right to a state of their own, to freedom and to independence. But the legitimacy of their benefiting from their own state, in the name of moral rights and justice, has nothing to do with legal rights. And this is where things start to get complicated. ... All EU leaders say that this is a 'unique case', but nobody is explaining why, or how to guarantee it. ... The seed of fear has been sewn once again. This is the sad consequence of the act of secession, which is nonetheless fair and deserved."
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All available articles from » Slavenka Drakulic
ABC - Spain | Tuesday, 19. February 2008
Spain is one of the six EU countries that will not recognise Kosovo's independence, fearing that it sets a precedent which its own minorities could ... » more
Spain is one of the six EU countries that will not recognise Kosovo's independence, fearing that it sets a precedent which its own minorities could exploit. Ignacio Camacho feels that those who recognise Kosovan independence are irresponsible for they encourage "the secessionist momentum which threatens the stability of several European states, including our [Spain]... By accepting a state that starts from nothing , or which even the most basic structures must be built, Western powers have accommodated a precedent that no mere theoretical statement can undo. From now on, any creeping nationalism, however fanatic it may or may not be, knows that should it declare independence, France, Germany, and even the Yankees, are quite capable not only of looking the other way for reasons of strategic convenience, but of actually giving their consent or blessing."
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All available articles from » Ignacio Camacho
El País - Spain | Wednesday, 9. January 2008
Francisco Veiga, professor of eastern European and Turkish contemporary history in the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), considers that we shouldn't be fooled by alarmist ... » more
Francisco Veiga, professor of eastern European and Turkish contemporary history in the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), considers that we shouldn't be fooled by alarmist analyses of Kosovo's future. "Once the media hype has died down, Kosovo's Albanians on one side and Serbs and Russians on the other will get on together in many domains. ... The media and some politicians are thinking as if we were back in 1991 [when war broke out in the Balkans]. But their sensationalist attitude is by no means a reflection of actual reality on the terrain. There will be no new war, at least not one waged by Serbia, for the simple good reason that Belgrade does not have the necessary forces, leaders or logistics for one. And other local actors do not have the leeway necessary to organise a war, should they to want one."
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All available articles from » Francisco Veiga
Czech Republic
Právo - Czech Republic | Tuesday, 8. January 2008
Former Czech Foreign Minister Jirí Dienstbier, who for many years served as special rapporteur for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Balkans, understands Serbia's hesitation to accept an independent Kosovo: » more
Former Czech Foreign Minister Jirí Dienstbier, who for many years served as special rapporteur for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Balkans, understands Serbia's hesitation to accept an independent Kosovo: "International mediators have never seriously sought compromise; rather, they have only tried to pressure Serbia to accept Kosovo's independence. Russia was the only one that always saw this as the worst option for stabilizing the Balkans. … Attempts to support recognition of an independent Kosovo lead to bizarre notions. The term 'Kosovan' sounds multi-ethnic. But in Kosovo itself, no one calls himself a Kosovan. Rather, they identify themselves as Albanians, Serbs, Turks or Roma."
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Cyprus
Politis - Cyprus | Wednesday, 13. February 2008
"Even though the first round of the presidential election is taking place in four days [Sunday, February 17] and the candidates are neck and neck, the attention of Greek Cypriots is fixed on Kosovo," writes the editorialist Lefteris Adinilis. "Because election day is also the day that Kosovo is expected to declare independence. The principle theme of the elections is the reunification of the island: » more
"Even though the first round of the presidential election is taking place in four days [Sunday, February 17] and the candidates are neck and neck, the attention of Greek Cypriots is fixed on Kosovo," writes the editorialist Lefteris Adinilis. "Because election day is also the day that Kosovo is expected to declare independence. The principle theme of the elections is the reunification of the island: how can't we see in Kosovo's probable declaration of independence an imposing shadow? Russia dropped a diplomatic bomb this week by making a parallel between the independence of Kosovo and the independence of Northern Cyprus. ... Russia is the only permanent member of the UN Security Council that is openly opposed to Kosovo's independence. It will refuse to recognise it. So, is the reunification of Cyprus, which seems so close, already dead?"
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All available articles from » Lefteris Adinilis
Cyprus Mail - Cyprus | Thursday, 3. January 2008
In a Project Syndicate article, Raju G.C. Thomas, emeritus professor at Marquette University and a former US Fulbright professor at the University of Belgrade, opposes ... » more
In a Project Syndicate article, Raju G.C. Thomas, emeritus professor at Marquette University and a former US Fulbright professor at the University of Belgrade, opposes Kosovo Independence. "Serbia's claim to Kosovo is, to Serbs, far stronger than Russia's claim to Chechnya, China's to Xinjiang, India's to Kashmir (a claim still disputed by Pakistan), and the Philippines' to the island of Mindanao. All of these are provinces with Muslim majority populations that are part of non-Muslim majority states. But Russia, China, and India are big states and will not tolerate any detachment of their territories. So there is no serious international effort to force them to do so. The Philippines has effectively lost control of Mindanao, just as Serbia has lost control of Kosovo, yet no one has recognised Mindanao's unilateral declaration of independence. So why should Kosovo's declaration be accepted? ... To allow Kosovo's independence would demonstrate that violent secessionism works."
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Further articles on the subject » EU enlargement, » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Domestic Policy, » Kosovo, » Serbia
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