Balkan EU members call for a compromise on Kosovo
The diplomatic efforts to achieve an agreement on Kosovo before it makes a unilateral declaration of independence have not been exhausted, foreign ministers of Greece, Bulgaria and Romania said.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Monday, December 24, 2007
The diplomatic efforts to achieve an agreement on Kosovo before it makes a unilateral declaration of independence have not been exhausted, even though Belgrade and Pristina have hit a dead-end, the foreign ministers of Greece, Bulgaria and Romania have said at a weekend meeting in Athens.
According to a news release issued after the meeting, the foreign ministers of the three Balkan EU members called for Serbia's speedy accession to the EU, stressing that it would not be any kind of exchange for Kosovo.
Greece fears that a unilateral proclamation of independence would destabilize the Balkans, and could spill over into its northern neighbor FYRMacedonia, which also has a large Albanian minority.
"A solution has not been found yet, but that does not mean we should stop trying to create an environment with as little damage as possible," Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said.
Romania and Cyprus have clearly said they will not recognize Kosovo's independence if it is declared without the U.N.'s approval, and even if the province is acknowledged by most EU members. Greece, Spain and Slovakia are also strongly reserved regarding Kosovo's independence.
