EU 5 unimpressed by EP resolution calling on all member-states to recognize Kosovo
The European Parliament (EP) resolution calling on all EU member-states to recognize Kosovo, does not seem to be likely to influence the countries in question.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Cyprus, Slovakia, Greece, Romania and Spain have not recognized the Kosovo Albanian unilateral declared of independence of Serbia's southern province.
"We do not expect our stance to change because of the resolution," Cypriot Ambassador to Serbia Homer Mavromatis told Tanjug news agency, noting that the Cypriot representatives in the EP spoke out against the document.
On July 8, the EP passed its resolution urging the remaining EU members to recognize Kosovo.
Slovakia's Deputy Ambassador in Belgrade Jan Psenica told Tanjug that the position regarding the resolution was "simple" - that Slovakia does not recognize Kosovo's unilaterally declared independence.
The Greek embassy reminded that the Greek representatives in the EP did not vote in favor of the resolution, and that Greek Ambassador Dimostenis Stoidis clearly said in a recent interview with the daily Danas that Greece's position was consistent and unchangeable.
According to him, Greece has a "categoric and very clear position on the issue".
Romania's officials also reacted on Sunday suggesting their stance regarding Kosovo would remain the same despite the resolution.
The EP document also notes that recognizing Kosovo "is not a viable political option for Belgrade right now", but calls on Serbian authorities to be "pragmatic regarding the issue of its status and not attempt to block Kosovo's membership in international organizations".
