Romania reiterates: No Kosovo recognition

Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic is in Romania today for talks with his counterpart Andrian Cioroianu. The Romanian foreign minister said in Bucharest, following talks with Jeremic, that the status of Kosovo should be resolved in keeping with international law and that Romania would not recognize a possible unilateral declaration of independence outside this framework. Romania reiterates: No Kosovo recognition "For Romania, the resolution of the Kosovo issue should be in accordance with international law that is currently in force. Romania will not recognize the independence of Kosovo if these principles are violated," Cioroianu stated. He said that Romania supports the idea of a European mission in Kosovo, about which there is consensus in Europe, adding that the EU mission "should be sent before a possible declaration of independence," according to a Tanjug news agency report. Cioroianu added that Romania, which has said it would take part in that mission with deploying some 2,000 troops, understands Serbia's concern over the sending of such a mission, but that Bucharest believes that the deployment of the mission at this moment would be in the interests of Belgrade. "The deployment of a European mission following a possible declaration of the independence of Kosovo, would implicitly mean accepting Pristina as a partner," Cioroianu explained his country's position. For his part, Jeremic said that Belgrade supports all EU arrangements on its territory, including Kosovo, "but coupled with a corresponding UN resolution and in keeping with international law." Cioroianu also promised that Romania would continue backing Serbia in its efforts to join the European Union. "Serbia should be a part of the European family, because it belongs there. We expect 2008 to be a specially significant year for Serbia to establish irreversible roots in the EU," the chief of Romanian diplomacy concluded. Yesterday, another of the EU countries often described as "unwilling" when it comes to recognizing Kosovo's unilateral independence, Slovakia, also reiterated its position. The government in Bratislava is opposed to such an outcome without a prior decision by international organizations charged with resolving this issue, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico told reporters in Strasbourg. "A unilateral decision on independence is not sufficient for the Slovak government to recognize such a state," said Fico, who was scheduled to address the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) during the first day of its winter session. He expressed agreement on this issue with outgoing PACE President Rene Van der Linden. "Van der Linden has told me that a unilateral declaration, without a decision made by the relevant international organizations, could cause numerous problems," Fico stated, stressing that it is "necessary to always respect organizations in charge of the resolution of controversial international issues." Jeremic, Cioroianu in Bucharest today (Tanjug)

Romania reiterates: No Kosovo recognition

"For Romania, the resolution of the Kosovo issue should be in accordance with international law that is currently in force. Romania will not recognize the independence of Kosovo if these principles are violated," Cioroianu stated.

He said that Romania supports the idea of a European mission in Kosovo, about which there is consensus in Europe, adding that the EU mission "should be sent before a possible declaration of independence," according to a Tanjug news agency report.

Cioroianu added that Romania, which has said it would take part in that mission with deploying some 2,000 troops, understands Serbia's concern over the sending of such a mission, but that Bucharest believes that the deployment of the mission at this moment would be in the interests of Belgrade.

"The deployment of a European mission following a possible declaration of the independence of Kosovo, would implicitly mean accepting Priština as a partner," Cioroianu explained his country's position.

For his part, Jeremić said that Belgrade supports all EU arrangements on its territory, including Kosovo, "but coupled with a corresponding UN resolution and in keeping with international law."

Cioroianu also promised that Romania would continue backing Serbia in its efforts to join the European Union.

"Serbia should be a part of the European family, because it belongs there. We expect 2008 to be a specially significant year for Serbia to establish irreversible roots in the EU," the chief of Romanian diplomacy concluded.

Yesterday, another of the EU countries often described as "unwilling" when it comes to recognizing Kosovo's unilateral independence, Slovakia, also reiterated its position.

The government in Bratislava is opposed to such an outcome without a prior decision by international organizations charged with resolving this issue, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico told reporters in Strasbourg.

"A unilateral decision on independence is not sufficient for the Slovak government to recognize such a state," said Fico, who was scheduled to address the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) during the first day of its winter session.

He expressed agreement on this issue with outgoing PACE President Rene Van der Linden.

"Van der Linden has told me that a unilateral declaration, without a decision made by the relevant international organizations, could cause numerous problems," Fico stated, stressing that it is "necessary to always respect organizations in charge of the resolution of controversial international issues."