This week saw the first year anniversary of Kosovo’s independence, and there is no shortage of news articles, analyses and opinion pieces covering the anniversary.
One issue that has often been seen from a glass half-empty, half-full perspective (depending on your point of view) is the recognition of Kosovo by the world community, in particular, the EU member states. Kosovo’s Prime Minister Hashim Thaci contends that “We will be recognised by the entire world” Such a far-reaching proclamation seem unrealistic at this time, as there are no signs that Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Romania, Slovakia, to say nothing of Serbia, will recognize Kosovo anytime soon. According to Transitions Online, such focus on how many countries recognize Kosovo is misplaced, the real focus should be on integrating both Serbia and Kosovo into the EU.
For more news and blogs on Kosovo’s first anniversary, check out Balkan Insight’s special featured section.
3 responses so far ↓
Global Voices Online » Kosovo: First Anniversary of Independence // February 22, 2009 at 11:58 pm |
[...] Balkanistan writes about Kosovo's first anniversary of independence. Cancel this [...]
Daniel (Srebrenica Genocide Blog) // February 24, 2009 at 6:42 am |
Our “friends,” so called “Muslim countries” – at least majority of them – still refuse to recognize Kosovo. When it comes to other European countries, like Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Romania, Slovakia, they are really irelevant in the World affairs.
bloggingbalkanistan // February 25, 2009 at 12:50 am |
For a lot of countries, their recogization is contingent upon their own internal strifes and struggles with minority issues.
But, I think just focusing on who recognizes or who doesn’t is missing the picture, the more pressing issue to ensure stabilization and development and growth across Kosovo, and to ensure the growth a strong civil society. None of this is easy of course.