EP Recommends Recognition Of Kosovo Independence By All EU Member States

MEPs „would welcome the recognition by all Member States of the independence of Kosovo,” says the resolution, drafted by MEP Ulrike Lunacek.

„Taking note of Kosovo’s declaration of independence of 18 February 2008, which has been recognized by 66 countries, the resolution states that ’22 EU Member States have recognized Kosovo as an independent country and 5 have not’,” says the press release.

„To make EU policies more effective for everyone in Kosovo, EU Member States should ‘step up their common approach towards Kosovo,'” says the press release. At the same time, the MEPs reject the possibility of partitioning Kosovo.

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The resolution reaffirms the importance the EU places on relations with Kosovo, despite differences among the member states on the status of this territory. According to the MEPs, member states and the European Commission should adopt, without delay, a procedure to facilitate the movement of Kosovar citizens.

The European Parliament also underscores the need for reform, especially to combat corruption, in Kosovo and urges the Pristina authorities to continue decentralization. According to the resolution, one of Kosovo’s main problems is organized crime, but also tensions in the north, where a protester was killed on July 2 and an ethnic Serb, member of the Kosovo Assembly, was wounded on July 5 in Mitrovica.

Kosovo’s independence has so far been recognized by 69 countries, including the United States of America and 22 of the 27 members of the EU. Romania, Cyprus, Greece, Slovakia and Spain are the EU members who have not recognized the territory’s independence.

In another report adopted Thursday, the European Parliament acknowledged the progress made by Albania on reform but stressed „the need for further substantial efforts to consolidate democracy and the rule of law and to foster the country’s sustainable development.” The EP also urges authorities in Tirana to continue the reform of the judicial system and the fight against corruption.