"Slovakia in hardline independence opposition"

Slovakia has joined the hardline opposition of Kosovo's independence, the media in this country say. The daily SME reports today, according to Beta news agency, that this conclusion can be drawn after 120 days that official Bratislava gave itself to define its position on the Kosovo Albanians' unilateral declaration of independence. "Slovakia in hardline independence opposition" The reason for this, the article continues, is that the government fears of a precedent that Kosovo might set when it comes to ethnic Hungarians living the south of Slovakia. In February, SME says, Foreign Minister Jan Kubis explained that Slovakia "for the time being will not consider recognizing Kosovo", and "took four months to see how things developed in the region". "Now, when those four months are up, it's clear that the expression, 'we won't recognize for now', has turned into the conclusion – 'we will not recognize Kosovo'," the paper continued. Its reporters found arguments for this claim in Slovakia's recent decision not to pledge any individual funds at a Kosovo donors' conference, although the Czech Republic, which has recognized the secession, decided to spend EUR 4mn, "as have Greece and Romania, who do not recognize Kosovo". Another sign that the newspaper sees as proof that Slovakia has joined "the hardcore anti-Kosovo independence nucleus" is the announcement that Bratislava has no intention of recognizing Kosovo's passports, that the authorities in Pristina decided to start issuing later this month. The Slovak government believes that the only legal personal documents for the Kosovo residents are either UNMIK or Serbian passports. Domestic politics are seen as being behind all this, and SME concludes, "we are treating the new state based on domestic phobias".

"Slovakia in hardline independence opposition"

The reason for this, the article continues, is that the government fears of a precedent that Kosovo might set when it comes to ethnic Hungarians living the south of Slovakia.

In February, SME says, Foreign Minister Jan Kubiš explained that Slovakia "for the time being will not consider recognizing Kosovo", and "took four months to see how things developed in the region".

"Now, when those four months are up, it's clear that the expression, 'we won't recognize for now', has turned into the conclusion – 'we will not recognize Kosovo'," the paper continued.

Its reporters found arguments for this claim in Slovakia's recent decision not to pledge any individual funds at a Kosovo donors' conference, although the Czech Republic, which has recognized the secession, decided to spend EUR 4mn, "as have Greece and Romania, who do not recognize Kosovo".

Another sign that the newspaper sees as proof that Slovakia has joined "the hardcore anti-Kosovo independence nucleus" is the announcement that Bratislava has no intention of recognizing Kosovo's passports, that the authorities in Priština decided to start issuing later this month.

The Slovak government believes that the only legal personal documents for the Kosovo residents are either UNMIK or Serbian passports.

Domestic politics are seen as being behind all this, and SME concludes, "we are treating the new state based on domestic phobias".