Canada recognizes Kosovo, separatist Parti Quebecois says “Bravo!”
Canada has officially recognized Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence, a move which was hailed by the separatist Parti Quebecois.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier said "Canada acknowledges the new international reality and will recognize Kosovo as an independent state."
The foreign affairs minister referred to Kosovo as a "unique case" and denied it had any similarity to a claim for Quebec sovereignty.
"It's a unique case, and as a declaration issued by Kosovo's parliament also makes clear, and this is what's important for us, the unique circumstances which have led to Kosovo's independence mean it does not constitute any kind of precedent," he said.
However, the Parti Quebecois seized on the federal government's decision, seeing a parallel with its own goal of making Quebec a country independent of Canada.
"We are happy because in recognizing the political independence of Kosovo, Canada is recognizing the entry, legally and democratically, of this new independent state into the international community," Daniel Turp, the party's international relations critic, said in a statement.
Francois Gendron, the party's house leader in the National Assembly, said Kosovo could be an example for Quebec.
"I say bravo, sincerely," Gendron said, commenting on Canada's decision to recognize the breakaway Serbian province.
Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence is an illustration of "the liberty of people to assume what I want for Quebec," he added.
