Romanian parliament demands more Kosovo talks

The Romanian parliament has today adopted a political declaration on Kosovo's future status. Lawmakers in Bucharest are calling for more talks, and advocate organizing an EU summit, to be dedicated to the Serbian province's future status and EU and NATO integration of the Western Balkans, Beta news agency reported this afternoon. Romanian parliament demands more Kosovo talks Romanian Foreign Minister Adrian Cioroianu said during the debate that "based on existing data up until this moment, Romania will not recognize any possible declaration of unilateral or supervised independence of the province of Kosovo." Cioroianu asked the members of parliament to endorse a declaration expressing Romania's desire that international law must be respected, the agency said. The document adopted supports "continuation of all efforts in a bid to find a negotiated solution, with a UN Security Council resolution." It also recommends to the country's authorities to adopt a single, coherent policy on Pristina's possible declaration of independence. This position, the lawmakers agreed, must reflect Romanian national interests and those of regional stability, and bear in mind the precedent an independent Kosovo would create in the regional and international scene, as well as the responsibilities that this country, an EU and NATO member, has. Cioroianu told the parliament that Bucharest agreed with other EU member states about sending an EU mission to Kosovo, but that this move "would have to have a very solid legal basis." The Kosovo declaration was supported by 239 votes of Romanian lawmakers, while seven abstained.

Romanian parliament demands more Kosovo talks

Romanian Foreign Minister Adrian Cioroianu said during the debate that "based on existing data up until this moment, Romania will not recognize any possible declaration of unilateral or supervised independence of the province of Kosovo."

Cioroianu asked the members of parliament to endorse a declaration expressing Romania's desire that international law must be respected, the agency said.

The document adopted supports "continuation of all efforts in a bid to find a negotiated solution, with a UN Security Council resolution."

It also recommends to the country's authorities to adopt a single, coherent policy on Priština's possible declaration of independence.

This position, the lawmakers agreed, must reflect Romanian national interests and those of regional stability, and bear in mind the precedent an independent Kosovo would create in the regional and international scene, as well as the responsibilities that this country, an EU and NATO member, has.

Cioroianu told the parliament that Bucharest agreed with other EU member states about sending an EU mission to Kosovo, but that this move "would have to have a very solid legal basis."

The Kosovo declaration was supported by 239 votes of Romanian lawmakers, while seven abstained.