Baltics recognise Kosovo

BRUSSELS 's All three Baltic foreign ministers emerged from a meeting of their European Union colleagues Feb. 18 and decided to recognise in principle a declaration of independence by Kosovo a day earlier.

However, the EU was unable to thrash out a unified position on the issue despite the application of a good deal of spin.

Ministers adopted conclusions which stated that EU countries would decide, 'in accordance with national practice and international law, on their relations with Kosovo as an independent state.'

The EU's largest member states: Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Italy all recognised Kosovo's independence but others including Spain, Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Slovakia expressed reservations about the legality of the move under international law and fear that a precedent could be set for other independence movements.

The United States has recognised Kosovan independence, while Russia has not.

On 18 February, in Brussels, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Petras Vaitiekūnas participated in the meeting of the European Union General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC), where the main attention was focused on the issue of Kosovo's independence that was declared on 17 February.

Lithuanian foreign minister Petras Vaitiekunas stated that in the current situation Kosovo's independence is the only sustainable solution to ensure the perspective of security and stability in the region. In response to the proposal by the President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus to start the procedures of acknowledgement of Kosovo in Lithuania, minister Vaitiekūnas made a statement that he would address the Seimas asking them to initiate the procedures needed to acknowledge the independence of Kosovo.

Latvia has decided to recognize the independence of the breakaway Serbian province Kosovo in a few days' time, Latvian Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins said.

The minister told BNSthat Latvia would inform Kosovo authorities of its decision by sending a suitable document through diplomatic channels.

"The decision has been based on the Foreign Ministry's analysis of the situation and developments in the Western Balkans in the historical, political and legal context," the foreign minister said.

Riekstins indicated though that Kosovo is a unique case and would not create a precedent applicable to any other "frozen conflict".

Estonian foreign minister Urmas Paet said that Estoniawas also prepared to recognize the independence of Kosovo.

"Establishment of Kosovo's independence will create in the region clarity and hopefully also stability to which Kosovo's independence declaration refers," Paet said.

"At the same time it is important that in its further development Kosovo should observe all the instructions contained in the status proposal or the so-called Ahtisaari Plan."

Paet said that sharing of international experience and assistance necessary for the reconstruction of Kosovo would continue.