Following favorable ICJ decision, Kosovo diplomats and allies go into offensive at the United Nations.
TIRANA TIMES
TIRANA, Aug. 4 – Just a few days after the International Court of Justice’s ruling on Kosovo’s independence, the new country’s foreign minister held meeting at the United Nations to secure a new relationship with the international body, where Kosovo aims to be fully recognized as a member once enough UN members officially accept its independence.
Kosovo Foreign Minister Skender Hyseni held a meeting this week with UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, where he proposed amending UN Resolution 1244 of the Security Council, which he said does not reflect the current circumstances in the region.
In an interview from New York with the U.S. government-sponsored broadcaster Voice of America, Hyseni said the resolution was good to establish UNMIK in Kosovo, but now, after the declaration of independence and especially after international court’s opinion, it should be replaced with a new resolution.
Hyseni said the new resolution should officially end UNMIK’s mission and reflect the fact that the international court ruled in favor of independence.
Kosovo’s foreign minister said that this request should not be construed as being against the UN.
“The demand for replacement of Resolution 1244 is not directed against UNMIK, which has done a good mission in Kosovo, but based on fundamental change of circumstances after the declaration of independence and after the ICJ,” said Hyseni.
The UN Secretary General said that replacing the resolution is an issue that must be examined by the Security Council, which has the power to decide on this issue.
The two also spoke on the issue of Kosovo’s membership in the United Nations. Hyseni said the membership will be achieved by getting more recognition for Kosovo.
Hyseni and Ban Ki Moon also talked about a wide range of issues related to Resolution 1244 of the Security Council, UNMIK presence, general developments in Kosovo, recognitions, regional cooperation, especially in the new context that is created after the advisory opinion of International Court of Justice.
Among other things, the minister made it clear that Kosovo’s final goal is to become a member of the Organization of the United Nations.
The general secretary, in turn, stated that he is aware of the aspirations of the new state to join the UN.
