Lajčak: Kosovo proclamation not legitimate

Slovak FM Miroslav Lajcak says that "independence of Kosovo is not legitimate and is based on political instead of legal criteria". In a statement published by Madrid-based daily ABC, the former Slovak ambassador to Belgrade and high international representative in Bosnia said: Lajcak: Kosovo proclamation not legitimate "Kosovo's decision was based on political instead of legal criteria. Two elements were missing in the process: an agreement between Belgrade and Pristina and legalization of the process through international institutions, mainly the UN Security Council." Lajcak also commented on an evaluation that it is hard to establish principles of legality when the UN Security Council acts in keeping with political interests of the countries that have the right to veto. "This is the system we have. We cannot make exceptions. Only the United Nations has the power to give legitimacy. On the contrary, we would have chaos and confusion across the globe," he was quoted as saying. Kosovo's ethnic Albanians unilaterally declared independence in February 2008, which Serbia rejected as an illegal move. Slovakia is one of five EU countries that have not recognized the proclamation.

Lajčak: Kosovo proclamation not legitimate

"Kosovo's decision was based on political instead of legal criteria. Two elements were missing in the process: an agreement between Belgrade and Priština and legalization of the process through international institutions, mainly the UN Security Council."

Lajčak also commented on an evaluation that it is hard to establish principles of legality when the UN Security Council acts in keeping with political interests of the countries that have the right to veto.

"This is the system we have. We cannot make exceptions. Only the United Nations has the power to give legitimacy. On the contrary, we would have chaos and confusion across the globe," he was quoted as saying.

Kosovo's ethnic Albanians unilaterally declared independence in February 2008, which Serbia rejected as an illegal move. Slovakia is one of five EU countries that have not recognized the proclamation.