Putin: Recognition encourages separatism

Recognition of Kosovo independence “encourages separatism in Europe and sets a dangerous precedent" says Vladimir Putin.

Izvor: Tanjug

Saturday, 08.03.2008.

18:01

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Recognition of Kosovo independence “encourages separatism in Europe and sets a dangerous precedent" says Vladimir Putin. "Separatism in Europe has received a further boost, and whoever wants to lessen this inertia, it will take place," the Russian president said after his meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, noting that such problems existed in Great Britain, Spain and Belgium. Putin: Recognition encourages separatism "We can only feel sympathy for this country, as I even fear to comment on what is going on there," Putin said, adding that it was “necessary to look closer at Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia,” the RIA Novosti news agency reported. Stressing that the case of Kosovo “was very dangerous and set a precedent,” the Russian president said that Russia's partners in the West had taken the “USSR’s place, which always defended country’s rights to self-determination. “What they asked for, they got,” he recalled. When asked whether it was possible for Russia to recognize Kosovo's independence, President Putin said that Russia could only do so with the agreement of all sides, that is with Serbia's agreement. "If such a compromise is found, we will agree," he said. Chancellor Merkel said that it was well known that Russia and Germany had different positions on Kosovo. “I believe that the discussion on Kosovo will continue,” Russia's Itar-Tass news agency quoted Merkel as saying. Merkel, Putin (FoNet)

Putin: Recognition encourages separatism

"We can only feel sympathy for this country, as I even fear to comment on what is going on there," Putin said, adding that it was “necessary to look closer at Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia,” the RIA Novosti news agency reported.

Stressing that the case of Kosovo “was very dangerous and set a precedent,” the Russian president said that Russia's partners in the West had taken the “USSR’s place, which always defended country’s rights to self-determination.

“What they asked for, they got,” he recalled.

When asked whether it was possible for Russia to recognize Kosovo's independence, President Putin said that Russia could only do so with the agreement of all sides, that is with Serbia's agreement.

"If such a compromise is found, we will agree," he said.

Chancellor Merkel said that it was well known that Russia and Germany had different positions on Kosovo. “I believe that the discussion on Kosovo will continue,” Russia's Itar-Tass news agency quoted Merkel as saying.

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