euro|topics - The failure of the Kosovo talks

04/07/2009

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Main focus of Thursday, November 29, 2007

The failure of the Kosovo talks

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?

Berliner Zeitung - Germany

Frank Herold doesn't believe the Albanian leadership in Kosovo will declare independence as soon as December 10th: "It should be a final, comprehensive round of talks in the Security Council that decides whether a compromise resolution that is binding under international law is unattainable. ... This would be a great test of endurance for the EU. Some time ago, particularly those states with their own self-assertive minorities were concerned about honouring the separatist efforts of the Albanians in any way. Now, given the utter hopelessness of all other options, Cyprus appears to be the only state still trying to block independence. The examples set by Kosovo's neighbouring states speak out in favour of a swift recognition of independence. When Slovenia and Croatia declared independence one and a half decades ago, the EU had great reservations. Many regarded the swift recognition of independence as a fatal mistake and harshly criticised it. But from today's perspective it had a stabilising effect on both countries and was therefore the right move." (29/11/2007)

La Repubblica - Italy

The journalist Paolo Garimberti ponders the explosive situation in Kosovo. "The failure of negotiations on Kosovo has been announced for months. Even before the confidential negotiations are concluded between Serbs and Albanian Kosovars, the mediating troika will have imploded, because it is composed of three souls: America's pro-Albanian soul, Russia's pro-Serbian soul and the uncertain, divided soul of Europe. Too many countries, even if they do not admit it openly, are boycotting the independence of Kosovo. Either because they do not wish to become Serbia's toy, for economic reasons, and out of friendly-neighbourhood policy, or because they fear a domino effect at home as much as in the Balkans. ... The scenario is apocalyptic. The Albanian majority may well start hunting out Serbs in an ethnic cleansing operation equivalent and opposite to that which was interrupted in 1999 by the Atlantic Alliance's fighter bombers." (29/11/2007)

Latvijas Avīze - Latvia

Uldis Smits writes that the process of the creation of new states in Europe has not yet come to an end, pointing out that although Belgium is likely to remain a single state, in the case of Kosovo there is no sign of an amicable solution. "The separation of Kosovo from Serbia has de facto already taken place, and the Kosovo-Albanians don't doubt that the West will recognise their state - despite Russia's veto threats. Then the responsibility for Kosovo will be in Europe's hands, and Europe is divided on this. Why, for example, do Luxembourg's representatives claim that an independent Kosovo is an absurdity in times of globalisation? What gives Luxembourgers the right to refuse to recognise Kosovo's independence when they themselves were only a province before they declared their own independence?" (28/11/2007)

» To the complete press review of Thursday, November 29, 2007

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