Kosovo secession divides European Parliament into “realists” and “legalists”
One of the most passioned debates in the European Parliament in the last several years, devoted to Kosovo’s secession, resulted in a sharp division of the EP between “realists” and “legalists”.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Thursday, February 21, 2008
The debate was provoked by claims by European Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn and Chairman of the European Union Council of Ministers, Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, who tried to convince the MEPs that Kosovo is a "sui generis" case and that the EU has not violated international law.
At the end of the session, Romanian MEP Adrian Severin conclude however that the debate clearly showed the division of the EP between "realists" - those who believe Kosovo's secession was inevitable -- and "legalists" - who say it was a severe violation of international law.
Kosovo independence was strongly supported by long-term supporters for secession - German MEP Doris Pack and EP Special Rapporteur for Kosovo Joost Lagendijk - who earlier had a difficult discussion with Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic in the Foreign Affairs Committee.
They were soon outnumbered by critics.
"Monday, when the foreign ministers met to take a decision on Kosovo, was not a good day for Europe. International law cannot be used ‘a la carte' and it is certain that Kosovo will become a precedent", Spanish MEP Jose Ignacio Salafranca said.
Czech MEP Vladimir Zelezny said that what is happening with Kosovo today is a replay of the occupation of Czechoslovakia by Hitler's Germany in 1938.
Greek MEP George Georgiou said that "unprecedented pressure" is being exerted in favor of recognizing the secession of Kosovo in complete violation of international law.
His fellow countryman Athanasios Pafilis called on Rehn and Rupel to stop being hypocritical.
"Europe is looking on as a European country is being torn apart", Polish MEP Boguslaw Rogalski said, while Sylwester Chruszcz said that "the EP debate turned into a protest against the illegal secession of Kosovo".
British Conservative Party Charles Tannock said that it is obvious that many in the world do not agree with the EU and US stand that Kosovo is a sui generis case and that the EU has hurt democratic Serbia.
Spanish MP Francisco Jose Millanmon said that the EU policy suffered yet another huge blow as it failed to find within Europe a solution in line with international law.
