Ahtisaari: Unilateral Kosovo recognition unlikely

Martti Ahtisaari says he is pessimistic regarding the new round of negotiations between Pristina and Belgrade. In an interview with the Slovenian POP TV on Monday, the special UN Kosovo envoy said that, given the statements of Belgrade and Pristina representatives, the upcoming talks on the province’s status “do not look promising.” Ahtisaari: Unilateral Kosovo recognition unlikely “Serbia even amended its Constitution and gave strict directives to its negotiators. Kosovo Albanians, for their part, have not changed their position.” Ahtisaari sees announcements of a unilateral proclamation of independence as “flippant and premature”, adding that neither the U.S. nor any other state at this moment in time intends to recognize anyone. “I don’t think anyone is even considering taking unilateral measures,” he stressed. Asked how neighboring states were contributing to the search for a solution to the Kosovo question, Ahtisaari cited Albania, which he had recently visited and which had stated its willingness "to be active in the issue, but not as an actor." The UN envoy deemed such an approach very sensible, adding that, in his opinion, the European Union should be the main agent in the status settlement process. “I do not have a crystal ball to predict the future, and I outlined my vision for Kosovo in the plan I wrote,” he said, and went on to explain his proposals. “Kosovo authorities would be monitored by the international community until they were able to prove they had met the necessary criteria for independence, one of which is the respect for human rights. Of course the end result of the plan would be an independent Kosovo”

Ahtisaari: Unilateral Kosovo recognition unlikely

“Serbia even amended its Constitution and gave strict directives to its negotiators. Kosovo Albanians, for their part, have not changed their position.”

Ahtisaari sees announcements of a unilateral proclamation of independence as “flippant and premature”, adding that neither the U.S. nor any other state at this moment in time intends to recognize anyone.

“I don’t think anyone is even considering taking unilateral measures,” he stressed.

Asked how neighboring states were contributing to the search for a solution to the Kosovo question, Ahtisaari cited Albania, which he had recently visited and which had stated its willingness "to be active in the issue, but not as an actor."

The UN envoy deemed such an approach very sensible, adding that, in his opinion, the European Union should be the main agent in the status settlement process.

“I do not have a crystal ball to predict the future, and I outlined my vision for Kosovo in the plan I wrote,” he said, and went on to explain his proposals.

“Kosovo authorities would be monitored by the international community until they were able to prove they had met the necessary criteria for independence, one of which is the respect for human rights. Of course the end result of the plan would be an independent Kosovo”