| Jeremić: Countries to retract recognition |
| 2 October 2008 | 10:04 -> 15:02
| Source:
B92, FoNet, Beta |
BELGRADE --
Vuk Jeremić expects the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to rule that Kosovo’s unilateral independence declaration contravened international law.
 | Vuk Jeremić (FoNet)
|
The foreign minister told B92 that if Serbia’s initiative was approved by the UN General Assembly, he was certain that the ICJ would rule that the unilateral independence declaration had been an illegal act.
He said that if the ICJ reached such a decision, Kosovo would not be able to become a member of any international organizations.
Jeremić expects certain countries that have recognized Kosovo independence to retract their recognitions subsequently.
“There are certain countries that have very openly told us that, if the Court rules that it was not in line with international law, they will withdraw their recognition of Kosovo,” the minister said.
He said that one such country was Costa Rica.
“Costa Rica recognized Kosovo, but told us that it would vote for our resolution, as it believes in international law and has trust in multilateral institutions. When I met with their foreign minister in New York last week, he told me that if the Court ruled that it was not in accordance with international law, they would retract their recognition,” Jeremić explained.
He said that this would not be the first time that a country had retracted recognition of another state.
Jeremić said that he would not like to speculate as to whether Serbia’s initiative would receive the necessary majority endorsement within the UN General Assembly required for the initiative to be brought before the ICJ, but stated that he was quietly confident.
Meanwhile, in an editorial for Podgorica daily Vijesti, UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband says that he hopes that after tomorrow’s parliamentary debate, Montenegro will recognize Kosovo.
"Of course, opinions on the Kosovo issue are divided within the EU, the international community as well as in Montenegro. It is my opinion that recognition of Kosovo is the key to consolidating regional stability,” Miliband writes.
He adds that the more countries recognize Kosovo independence, the easier it will be for the entire region to leave the past behind and turn towards its true priority—moving forwards towards regional stability and security within the EU.
Miliband writes that he hopes that Montenegro will play a unique and positive role in the next phase of regional development by recognizing Kosovo’s independence.
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