Slovakia against double standards in recognition of states
Slovakia's position with regards the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo is based on the principled issue of whether international law should be respected only according to preferences, Slovak Foreign Minister Jan Kubis has told Vienna daily Die Presse.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Monday, January 12, 2009
Kubis rejected that this position is linked to Bratislava's fear that Kosovo could create a precedent for territories populated by a huge Hungarian minority in Slovakia.
"That would represent an oversimplification of the issue. However, it is necessary to take into consideration the very disturbing statements by certain Hungarian politicians that the case of Kosovo could serve as inspiration to other minorities", Kubis underscored.
"Our position is based on the principled issue of whether international law on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, should be respected, so that changes can be made only through political means and with the agreement of both sides", he explained.
"Within the EU, we are in the minority, but worldwide, countries that have not recognized the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo are in the majority. Many countries in Asia and Africa are very disturbed by that independence", Kubis stated.
