EuroParliament Recommends Kosovo Recognition

The European Parliament on Thursday voted for a resolution recommending that all European Union member states which have not yet recognized the independence of Kosovo from Serbia should do so.
The non-binding resolution passed with 424 votes in favor, 133 against and 24 abstentions. Out of 24 EU member states, only Greece, Spain, Cyprus, Slovakia and Romania have not recognised Kosovo.
“One year after Kosovo’s independence, the European Parliament recalls the EU’s willingness to assist the economic and political development of Kosovo through a clear European perspective,” the EP said. “The resolution also recommends that the EU Member States which have not recognised the independence of Kosovo should do so.”
It said that the EU justice and police mission EULEX is expected to “promote the stable development of Kosovo and guarantee the rule of law for all the communities throughout Kosovo, including the Serb minority.”
“The resolution welcomes the Serbian government’s agreement to the deployment throughout the territory of Kosovo of the EULEX European Union Rule of Law (EULEX) mission in Kosovo, the largest civilian ever launched under the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP),” it said, adding that “MEPs encourage Serbia to continue to show this constructive attitude, which is consistent with its aspirations to join the EU”.
MEPs urged EULEX judges to address the backlog of court cases under international supervision, giving priority to cases of inter-ethnic violence, war crimes and high-level corruption. A witness protection programme should also be established, the Parliament said.
MEPs also asked the EU Special Representative to ensure that the Kosovo government promotes the participation of Kosovo Serbs in the political, economic and social life of Kosovo, “including by means of specific economic development measures for the Mitrovica region, once the rule of law is restored in the area.”
They also highlighted “the need for a multi-ethnic police force in all areas of Kosovo and welcome the return of some Serbian officers to the Kosovo Police.”
The parliament also urges the international and local authorities to settle the legal status of the stateless Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians living in Kosovo, including their ownership rights.
MEPs also asked for the relocation of Roma families of the Osterode and Cesmin Lug refugee camps as they believe their ill health is directly linked to the improper positioning of these camps located on the highly toxic tailing stands of the Trep衠lead mines.
The motion for resolution was discussed in Strasbourg in Wednesday, and representatives of EU presidency as well as European Commission were present. Both supported in full the resolution.
Czech deputy premier Alexander Vondra, whose country chairs over EU in first half of this year, said that Kosovo would be one of the priorities of the Czech presidency.
“One day we should bring Kosovo closer to stabilization and association process, but still a lot of work remains to be done and it is not secret that on some issues unity would be difficult to obtain”, Vodnra told the European Parliament.
He added Prague’s policy towards Kosovo would be based on three pillars: “ndivisibility and stability of Kosovo, decentralization and equal opportunity for minorities as well as involvement of Kosovo in regional and European mainstreaming.”
Courtesy Balkan insight