Putin, Czech presidential candidates, Slovenian businessmen warn against independence
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Russia would not support a unilateral declaration of Kosovo's independence adding that his country was urging more negotiations on the future status of the province and finding a compromise between parties concerned.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Monday, January 21, 2008
"In our opinion the negotiations should be continued, and a comprise needs to be reached that satisfies both the Albanians and Serbia," the Russian president said.
According to him, a "unilateral declaration of independence and support [for independence] by members of the international community would be illegal and immoral."
"Russia cannot support such a solution," Putin said.
Czech presidential candidates have also spoken out against Kosovo's independence. Unlike the Czech government, they believe that the independence of Kosovo is dangerous not only for the Balkans, but for all of Europe as well.
Two candidates, current President Vaclav Klaus and renowned liberal economist Jan Svejnar, a candidate of the Left, voiced their opposition to the province's independence in the weekend edition of the Mlada Fronta Dnes daily.
"The consequences of a proclamation of independence will be very negative in the long run, both for Serbia and the region, and eventually for all of Europe," Klaus said.
"I see a unilateral declaration of Kosovo's independence as great danger, which is yet to be prevented," Svejnar said.
The managers of leading Slovenian companies are also against independence, and have urged their government to be careful regarding the status of Kosovo.
The businesspeople warned the Slovenian government about the sensitive issue of Kosovo. Head of the management of household appliance maker Gorenje, Franjo Bobinac, recalled the problem that could stem from Slovenia's tenure of the EU rotating presidency, i.e. the political risk in the Western Balkans.
Because of that, Bobinac asked Slovenia to be careful when it came to Kosovo's status, because the entire Slovenian economy largely depended on the Western Balkans.
Slovenian Economy Minister Andrej Bajuk guaranteed to the businesspeople that the government was aware of how important the Serbian and other Western Balkan markets were for the Slovenian economy, and was aware of what damage thoughtless moves could do to the economy.
