Lithuanian parliament recognizes Kosovo's independence

May 06, 2008
In cooperation with BNS

VILNIUS - After heated debates, the LithuanianSeimas recognized Tuesday the independence of Serbia's break-off nation of Kosovo.

In opposition to the recognition of Kosovo's independence, Order and Justice MP Julius Veselka said Lithuania is especially active in supporting Georgia's quest to maintain control over the separatist Abkhazia and South Ossetia territories, however the country's stance with regards to Kosovo is completely opposite, he said.

"Why don't Lithuanianswant to grant independence to Ossetians and Abkhazians, while they do so with the Kosovo Albanians," the MP said.

However, Conservative MP Audrius Azubalis stressed that the Kosovo case is an exceptional one, as Serbiahad repressed its own citizens, who have to be protected by the international community. Social Liberal MP Vaclovas Stankevcius also backed his opinion stating that given such animosity between the Serbians and Albanians, there is nothing left other than separating the two sides of the conflict with national borders.

Kosovo's parliament declared independence in February and the new state started pursuing international recognition at once. The new state has been recognized by the United Statesand most European Union (EU) member states, however six of them, namely Malta,Romania, Slovakia,Spain, Greeceand Cyprusdon't intend on doing so.

Serbia is against the independence of the new state and considers Kosovo the cradle of its culture and religion. Russiaand China, both standing members of the United Nations (UN) Security Council are also against recognition of the new state.