International Radio Serbia -- REACTIONS on Kosovo Secession -- part II
Markoulis: Cyprus will never recognize independence of Kosmet <http://glassrbije.org/E/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1600&pop=1&page=15&Itemid=26> 18 February 2008. 19:46 The authorities in Nicosia will never recognize the independence of Kosmet, as it represents drastic violation of the territorial integrity of Serbia, stated Cyprian Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Markoulis in Brussels. She pointed that the decision of the Kosmet Assembly on the unilateral proclamation of independence represents an illegal act of secessionism, which violated the Final Helsinki Act and UN Security Council Resolution 1244, as documents that guarantee the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia. According to Mikoulis, Cyprus remains at the stance that the solution for the status of Kosmet can only be found through negotiations under the auspices of the Security Council. Spain and Romania against secession of Kosmet <http://glassrbije.org/E/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1599&pop=1&page=15&Itemid=26> 18 February 2008. 19:41 Spain and Romania will not recognize the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosmet, as that act is in discord with the international law, stated today in Brussels the ministers of those two countries – Miguel Angel Moratinos and Mihail Ungureanu. Earlier today, Romanian President Traian Basesku has assessed that the secession of Kosmet from Serbia is an illegal act. While stating that the position of Bucharest will stay unchanged, Basesku said that Romania will undertake all diplomatic efforts to find allies to protect her national and regional interests. EU Council of Ministers: member-stated deciding on Kosmet <http://glassrbije.org/E/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1596&pop=1&page=15&Itemid=26> 18 February 2008. 19:01 At the session in Brussels, the EU Council of Ministers has taken to knowledge yesterday’s resolution of the Kosmet Assembly on the declaration of that province’ independence, it has been communicated from the Union HQ. The Council has concluded that the recognizing of the unilaterally proclaimed independence should be decided upon by individual member-states, in accordance with their national practice and legal regulations. While stating that the EU is dedicated to the respect of the UN Charter and Final Helsinki Act, ministers have assessed that the case of Kosmet is unique and that it does not create a precedent in the international law. Serbian agencies are pointing that it practically means that EU guarantees to all states except Serbia that their right to sovereignty and territorial integrity will be respected. Russian Parliament condemned unilateral declaration of independence <http://glassrbije.org/E/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1594&pop=1&page=15&Itemid=26> 18 February 2008. 17:56 Both houses of the Russian Parliament have condemned the unilateral proclamation of Kosmet independence, since it violates one of the foundational principles of the international law - the protection of territorial integrity of states, communicated Russian Assembly Speaker Boris Grizlov. He emphasized that Russia will exert maximum efforts for the UN Security Council to express its negative stance towards that act, which is contrary to all international norms. All references to the unique nature of this case are groundless, said Grizlov, adding that the disregard for sovereignty and territorial integrity of states will unavoidably lead to the re-tailoring of borders and reflect to the entire system of international security. Spain and Cyprus blocking the acknowledging of Kosmet secession <http://glassrbije.org/E/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1593&pop=1&page=15&Itemid=26> 18 February 2008. 17:50 Spain and Cyprus are blocking the adoption of a joint EU platform to acknowledge the independence of Kosmet, TANJUG quotes the diplomatic sources from today’s session of the EU Council of Ministers in Brussels, where a heated debate on the text of conclusions is ongoing. Cyprus is opposing any platform that would open the door to the recognition of the secession of Kosmet, while Spain is offering its own draft of the conclusions, different from the one proposed by the Slovenian presidency of the Union. The TANJUG reports that the key difference is in the fact that the Slovenian text does not mention international law, but does mention the possibility of having relations with the independent state of Kosmet.
