K. Albanian official against change of borders

Kosovo will become a respected member of the international community despite Belgrade blocking its recognitions, says a Kosovo Albanian politician. Skender Hyseni, appointed by the government in Pristina as its foreign minister, was quoted as saying that 65 countries had recognized Kosovo, but that a large number, including five EU member states, “did not do so yet”. K. Albanian official against change of borders The province’s ethnic Albanians two years ago unilaterally declared independence. Belgrade rejected the move as an illegal act of secession, and asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its opinion on the legality of the proclamation under international law. Now Hyseni believes that some countries are holding back their recognitions in expectation of the ICJ ruling. However, he also thinks that the decision “will not necessarily condition their position”. “I see no possibility that the court will conclude that Kosovo’s independence is not in line with international law, because there is no rule or norm that prohibits independence declaration by an entity. That’s why we’re so sure that in the end the court will conclude that our declaration of independence was not illegal.” “We are convinced of the court’s impartiality and sure that the outcome will be positive,” said he. Hyseni counted “building of state institutions based on a new, modern constitution, membership in the World Bank and IMF, GDP growth and progress in the process of decentralization” among Pristina’ achievements since the proclamation. “We are cooperating with EULEX and the International Civilian Office so that the rule of law is established again. I must say that unfortunately Belgrade is not helping in that, we called on it many times to cooperate on issues important to the Serb community in Kosovo, but Belgrade is conditioning all that with some talks about status,” revealed Hyseni. He went on to state that the status of Kosovo was “solved” and that “Kosovo was independent”, adding that “we will never go back to status talks, but we are ready to talk about many issues of common interest.” Hyseni also believes that “the concept of Kosovo’s partition is currently the most dangerous idea when it comes to the stability of the western Balkans”. “Instead of changing the borders of any former Yugoslavia member, the region should turn to the process of integrations and a common European future, and the EU probably doesn’t want to inherit the problem of Serbs not recognizing the Kosovo independence when accepting the western Balkans countries,” said he.

K. Albanian official against change of borders

The province’s ethnic Albanians two years ago unilaterally declared independence. Belgrade rejected the move as an illegal act of secession, and asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its opinion on the legality of the proclamation under international law.

Now Hyseni believes that some countries are holding back their recognitions in expectation of the ICJ ruling. However, he also thinks that the decision “will not necessarily condition their position”.

“I see no possibility that the court will conclude that Kosovo’s independence is not in line with international law, because there is no rule or norm that prohibits independence declaration by an entity. That’s why we’re so sure that in the end the court will conclude that our declaration of independence was not illegal.”

“We are convinced of the court’s impartiality and sure that the outcome will be positive,” said he.

Hyseni counted “building of state institutions based on a new, modern constitution, membership in the World Bank and IMF, GDP growth and progress in the process of decentralization” among Priština’ achievements since the proclamation.

“We are cooperating with EULEX and the International Civilian Office so that the rule of law is established again. I must say that unfortunately Belgrade is not helping in that, we called on it many times to cooperate on issues important to the Serb community in Kosovo, but Belgrade is conditioning all that with some talks about status,” revealed Hyseni.

He went on to state that the status of Kosovo was “solved” and that “Kosovo was independent”, adding that “we will never go back to status talks, but we are ready to talk about many issues of common interest.”

Hyseni also believes that “the concept of Kosovo’s partition is currently the most dangerous idea when it comes to the stability of the western Balkans”.

“Instead of changing the borders of any former Yugoslavia member, the region should turn to the process of integrations and a common European future, and the EU probably doesn’t want to inherit the problem of Serbs not recognizing the Kosovo independence when accepting the western Balkans countries,” said he.