Brussels, 05/02/2009 (Agence Europe) - A few days before 17 February's first anniversary of the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo - currently recognised by 54 countries, including 22 of the EU's 27 member states - the European Parliament has hailed the important role played hitherto by the EU in stabilising the new country, in particular through EULEX, its rule of law mission. In a resolution adopted in plenary session in Strasbourg on 5 February, MEPs welcomed that it had been possible to deploy EULEX throughout the country, including in the area north of the River Ibar, and explicitly ruled out any partition of Kosovo. Parliament also backed European Commission policy which uses every Community instrument at its disposal, particularly the pre-accession instrument, to promote the socio-economic development of Kosovo. MEPs also welcomed the Commission's intention to present a feasibility study which will focus on ways to enhance the socio-economic and political development of the country. However, the Commission should do more to promote local projects that build closer ties between the various communities, Parliament said. The resolution specifically mentions restoring vandalised graveyards or creating a multi-ethnic European University College in addition to existing university centres in Pristina and Mitrovica. MEPs suggest, too, setting up cultural, social and health bodies aimed more particularly at the Serbian community in Kosovo in order to further promote its integration. While the security situation has improved in recent months, Kosovo's poor economic situation worried MEPs, deeply concerned by the slowness of reform, corruption and organised crime. The government of Kosovo has to make real efforts to increase transparency and make people aware of their responsibilities, and to improve relations between politicians and civil society, they say. The use of aid and funding from international donors has to be transparent and responsible, the EP said, and it called on the Commission to help Kosovo move towards European standards in public sector liability and economic transparency.
MEPs said, too, that throughout the whole Kosovo crisis, the Serbian government had maintained a “constructive attitude”, and, despite the difficult situation, Belgrade had retained its “pro-European attitude”. Parliament called on Serbia to maintain this constructive attitude “which is consistent with the country's aspirations to join the EU”.
An ALDE Group amendment, adopted by 281 votes to 229, calls on those EU countries which have not so far done so to recognise the independence of Kosovo. This paragraph was immediately condemned as being “unacceptable since it runs counter to international law” by Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister Vuk Jeremik. The five EU countries still to recognise Kosovo are Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia and Spain. (H.B./transl.rt)