European Parliament flies "independent Kosovo" flag

A Kosovo delegation appeared at the Wednesday meeting at the European Parliament (EP) in Brussels under the flag of "independent Kosovo". Tanjug news agency says this is the first time that this flag was officially hoisted at one of the EU institutions. European Parliament flies "independent Kosovo" flag At the the "first inter-parliamentary meeting between the EP and Kosovo assembly", the flag was hoisted next to that of the EU, despite opposition voiced by Greek MP Ani Podimata. "It is not in our jurisdiction to decide on the status of Kosovo as an independent state," Podimata protested at the beginning of the meeting. This was, however, rejected by chair of the meeting and EP Delegation to South-East Europe Doris Pack. "Kosovo's constitution is envisaged under the Ahtisaari plan and we supported the plan with a two-third majority at the EP, and that's why this meeting is held with Kosovo's flag," Pack said. The Kosovo assembly delegation was headed by speaker Jakup Krasniqi and deputy premier Ram Manaj. The meeting was also attended by European Commission representative Genoveva Ruiz Calavera. She announced a meeting for tomorrow in Pristina between the EC and Kosovo government, where the ethnic Albanian authorities will present to the EU with an action plan for participation in the stabilization and association process. "We must find a way for Kosovo to take part in all regional forums in the West Balkans," Ruiz Calavera said. EP rapporteur for Kosovo Joost Lagendijk of the Netherlands said that he was afraid that a delay in the deployment of the EULEX mission would cause problems both for the European Union and Pristina, and urged a speedy departure of UNMIK from Kosovo. "The Ahtisaari plan is great, but it cannot be fully implemented before Belgrade changes its present stance," Lagendijk noticed. Krasniqi said that "once the constitution of independent Kosovo comes into force, constitutional order will be introduced", which he said was supported by the European Union.

European Parliament flies "independent Kosovo" flag

At the the "first inter-parliamentary meeting between the EP and Kosovo assembly", the flag was hoisted next to that of the EU, despite opposition voiced by Greek MP Ani Podimata.

"It is not in our jurisdiction to decide on the status of Kosovo as an independent state," Podimata protested at the beginning of the meeting.

This was, however, rejected by chair of the meeting and EP Delegation to South-East Europe Doris Pack.

"Kosovo's constitution is envisaged under the Ahtisaari plan and we supported the plan with a two-third majority at the EP, and that's why this meeting is held with Kosovo's flag," Pack said.

The Kosovo assembly delegation was headed by speaker Jakup Krasniqi and deputy premier Ram Manaj.

The meeting was also attended by European Commission representative Genoveva Ruiz Calavera. She announced a meeting for tomorrow in Priština between the EC and Kosovo government, where the ethnic Albanian authorities will present to the EU with an action plan for participation in the stabilization and association process.

"We must find a way for Kosovo to take part in all regional forums in the West Balkans," Ruiz Calavera said.

EP rapporteur for Kosovo Joost Lagendijk of the Netherlands said that he was afraid that a delay in the deployment of the EULEX mission would cause problems both for the European Union and Priština, and urged a speedy departure of UNMIK from Kosovo.

"The Ahtisaari plan is great, but it cannot be fully implemented before Belgrade changes its present stance," Lagendijk noticed.

Krasniqi said that "once the constitution of independent Kosovo comes into force, constitutional order will be introduced", which he said was supported by the European Union.