Montenegro denies it will recognize Kosovo, Spain lobbying against recognition
Montenegrin Foreign Ministry has denied a statement by Kosovo parliament Speaker Jakup Krasnici that Montenegro will soon recognize Kosovo’s independence.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Monday, June 23, 2008
Krasnici told Podgorica daily Vijesti Saturday that Montenegrin leadership has informed authorities in Pristina that Podgorica will soon officially recognize Kosovo.
Montenegrin Foreign Ministry spokesperson Irena Radovic, however, reiterated that Montenegro will not hurry with a decision on recognizing Kosovo independence.
Montenegrin opposition parties also reacted to Krasnici's statement by "expressing hope that common sense will prevail and that Montenegrin authorities will not recognize the illegal violation of Serbia 's integrity, as that would undermine regional stability and good neighborly relations."
Meanwhile, former British Minister for Europe, Dennis MacShane, said Spain is lobbying in Latin America against recognition for Kosovo.
"The US and major EU nations have recognised Kosovo just as other breakaway nations from the former Yugoslavia now have full state-hood. A victory for partnership between the US and a united EU? Anything but. Key EU nations like Spain, Greece, Romania and Slovakia weaken the unity of Europe by refusing to recognise Kosovo. Greece blocks Macedonia's EU and Nato ambitions while Spain lobbies in Latin America against recognition for Kosovo. This bodes ill for the notion that a united EU diplomacy of weight can develop", MacShane wrote in a commentary for The Independent.
