Main focus of Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Kosovo - one year on

A year ago the Republic of Kosovo declared its independence. But relations between Albanians and Serbs remain strained and most states have not yet recognised the former Serb province.

Postimees - Estonia

Kosovo may have attained independence a year ago, writes the daily Postimees, but it is far from being truly independent: "The future of Kosovo is determined by international organisations, making true independence from foreign aid and a strong economy, not to mention accession to the EU, a distant dream. Of course all is not lost, but it's clear that ten years of UN administration and international negotiation attempts in the conflict between Serbs and Albanians leave much to be desired. Still, over 50 states have now recognised Kosovo's independence, among them 22 EU member states and the US. By contrast, Russia's attempt to use Kosovo as a precedent in attaining independence for South Ossetia and Abkhasia has only been recognised by certain of its more dubious friends." (17/02/2009)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Russia, » Kosovo

Kathimerini - Greece

Kosovo remains dependent for the most part, the Athens daily I Kathimerini writes: "The Albanians need the support of the international community and the Serbs live from the aid Belgrade sends them. … At the same time the leaders of Serbia and of the newly created state have once again highlighted the rift between the two. … Serb President Boris Tadic has said that January 17 was the day on which Pristina tried to illegally separate Kosovo from Serbia. … For his part the Kosovar Prime Minister Hasim Thaci has demanded that Serbia recognise Kosovo's independence. Meanwhile the invisible protagonists of this story are the Kosovo Albanians and the Serbs who have become so used to living with the social marginalisation, poverty and unemployment that affects 40 percent of the population." (17/02/2009)

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More from the press review on the subject » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Domestic Policy, » Kosovo
All available articles from » Apostolis Fotiadis

Financial Times - United Kingdom

The Financial Times comments on the role of the EU in the development of Kosovo: "The EU must focus on piecemeal progress. On the diplomatic front, this must include securing Kosovo's oft-debated admission to the International Monetary Fund. On the ground in Kosovo, one priority should be establishing the EU mission's authority. Another must be to push ahead with energy, water and road schemes that will improve living standards. Economic advances alone will not bring Kosovo political stability but they can help prepare for a day when this stability could be secured – perhaps in a future deal in which Kosovo and Serbia join the EU. ... With so much else on the global agenda, it would be tempting to forget about the western Balkans. But the EU must not. Without stability in the region, there cannot be complete stability in Europe." (17/02/2009)

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More from the press review on the subject » Security Policy / Crises / War, » EU Policy, » Kosovo

Dagens Nyheter - Sweden

One year after attaining independence Kosovo is still struggling with widespread discrimination of women, sweeping unemployment and a high crime rate, writes the daily Dagens Nyheter: "The absence of armed conflicts does not mean that Kosovo is ready for EU membership. The EU would do better to support the young state on its path to stability - for example by bolstering legal security - than to welcome it all too quickly into the Union. When Sweden takes over the EU Council presidency this summer we should seek to act as a pioneer in furthering equal rights and heightening the legal awareness of girls and women in Kosovo." (17/02/2009)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU Policy, » Sweden, » Europe, » Kosovo
All available articles from » Lisa Bjurwald

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