Kosovo: a new and "dizzying" challenge for EU

Von GUE/NGL Press (22.2.2008)

„By backing the unilateral declaration of independence of a province of a sovereign state that is also a member of the UN, a number of European Union Member States have jeopardised the future of international law,“ warned Francis Wurtz, President of the GUE/NGL group in the European Parliament, speaking during the debate on Kosovo in Parliament today. „The main powers in the Union are placing might above right. In doing so, they are opening a Pandora's Box.“

Francis Wurtz emphasised that EU recognition puts at risk the objectives it set itself for the Balkans. „It will feed nationalism rather than drying it up at the source.“ And having raised the expectations of Kosovo's Albanians, he then asked how the EU intended satisfying them. EU membership? And if so, when and under what terms? „The new challenge the Union has set itself is enough to make anyone dizzy“.

„I am surprised and shocked to see Community institutions – by recognising the declaration of independence by Kosovo – challenging the principles of international law, international conventions and the 1999 United Nations 1244 resolution on Kosovo, which are all being breached“, said Greek GUE/NGL MEP Athanasios Pafilis. „What we are talking about here is a change of borders, masterminded by the US and the EU leading to a situation that is sure to create new hotspots of tension and represents a new threat not only in the Balkans but in other areas of the world. We should put a stop to this hypocrisy“.

Italian GUE/NGL MEP Roberto Musacchio regretted that, as usual, „Europe is divided and defeated“ on an issue of utmost importance and that this situation was creating further tension. He evoked meetings between the Slovenian government and the US Administration, which dictated the main lines of EU conduct regarding Kosovo. „So it does not come as a surprise that this Parliament is politically powerless, even if it has just endorsed the new EU treaty,“ adding that the only way out of this deadlock is a solution based on international law plus an independent vision and strategy which will guarantee peace and stability in this region. „Let's hope we won't be too late“, he concluded.