Kosovo Urged To Proceed With Caution

by Jason Green
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

BRUSSELS, Belgium - EU officials expressed concern today about a unilateral declaration of independence from Kosovo on December 10.  Hasim Thaci, the likely victor in Kosovo's recent parliamentary election, has pledged that Kosovo will declare its independence from Serbia when the deadline for negotiations between the two sides expires on December 10.  While many European nations agree that Kosovo should become independent, they are cautious about this decision being made too quickly without proper support from the world community. 

The U.K.'s Europe minister, Jim Murphy, commented that "Kosovo should have her independence, [but] it shouldn't be an unmanaged unilateral declaration.  It should be one that is coordinated with the international community."  Murphy added that, "well above 20 EU member states backed independence for the breakaway province, but that they had not got to 27 yet." 

But not everyone agrees with the idea of an independent Kosovo.  On the belief that it disrespects Serbia's rightful borders, Russia has since blocked the proposal in the U.N. Security Council. 

This problem is of great concern for the world community for two reasons.  First, a rush to an independent Kosovo might further destabilize the Balkan region.  The Serbian minority in Kosovo might align with Belgrade.  Additionally, an independent Kosovo might fuel a sector of Bosnia and Herzgovinia to also push for independence from Serbia.  Second, a quick decision by Kosovo may serve to further increase tensions between Russia and the U.S.  Unlike Russia, the U.S. supports Kosovo in its bid for independence.  The U.S. and Russia have disagreed on a number of issues of late, most notably being the Iranian nuclear conflict. 

The world will find out on December 10 whether Kosovo will take its final step towards independence, or whether it will heed the EU's request to hold off making this declaration.  Hopefully, a world consensus on this issue will be reached soon, regardless of when Kosovo declares its independence in a mere few weeks.   

For more information, please see:

BBC - EU warns Kosovo on independence - 19 November 2007

International Herald Tribune - Don't go it alone, EU warns Kosovo - 19 November 2007

Yahoo (Reuters) - EU urges Kosovo not to rush toward independence - 19 November 2007