KOSOVO AND CYPRUS
Feb 14th, 2008 by admin
The only EU memeber that opposes the recognition of Kosovo is Cyprus . The country fears the recognition of Kosovo would be seen as a precedent that could lead to acceptance of the Turkish occupied northern part of the island.
Thanos Dokos from the think-tank Eliamep spoke on how the recognition of Kosovo could affect the Cyprus question.
IS ITÂ IN GREECE’S BEST INTEREST TO SUPPORT KOSOVO’S UNILATERAL RECOGNITION?
Kosovo is less of a bilateral issue or an issue with a lot of importance for Greece. It is something to be debated among the European Union member states. I know Greece is not happy with the imposed solution because in the long term, a leagal precedence will be set, creating problems internationally and in the Balkans.
Our position i sthat the European Union countries recognize Kosovo’s independence. Greece cannot be the only Eu member in the Balkans that will recogize the new situation, so we may express displeasure and also try to compensate the Serbs. At the end of the day Greece, will follow suit, if everybody goes ahead in recognizing Kosovo.
WHAT WILL A UNILATERAL KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE MEAN FOR CYPRUS AND OTHER EU MEMBERS?
In my opinion different things and this has to be understood by member states. On one hand, we had an intervention, whatever the legal case may be of an International alliance, Nato to stop an act of aggression against the people of KOSOVO. In the case of Cyprus that was a military intervention by Turkey, two entirely different cases. To compare both issues will be a very serious mistake on the Greek and Cypriot sides.
Meanwhile the United Nations Security Council will hold a closed meeting today, to discuss Kosovo, which is poised to declare independence from Serbia.
The UN meeting is being held at the request of Serbia which is strongly opposed to Kosovo’s attempt to secede.