Kosovo Independence Declaration – Circumstances and Probable Consequences

18.06.2008 18:10

Kosovo independence declaration is one of the most disputable for the last years political-legal act. It doesn’t have any definite and unique appraisal either from international community or from Green Parties of Europe. Its probable consequences are out of bilateral relations or regional processes frames. Thus the discussion of this question in frames of East-West Dialogue appears to be suitable and reasonable.

Kosovo independence declaration was held in one-side order with violation of procedures determined by international law and inviolability of frontiers principle. Finding an excuse to using a special approach to Kosovo problem solving, European Union relies on the fact that this situation appears to be a “special case”, but there are no arguments pointing at the fundamental difference between situation in Kosovo and, for example, in Nagorno-Karabakh or Abkhazia.

Kosovo separation from Serbia is impossible to regard as Albanians right for national state realization, because such state – Albania – has already existed. Besides it’s necessary to mention that the only fact of creation of the new state on ethnic basis contradicts both democracy development and eurointegration processes directed at bringing together political nations with keeping and protection of different nations and ethnic groups cultural heritage.

Kosovo problem is especially complicated by adding to ethnic conflict contradictions between Muslims and Orthodox Christians.

Adequate approach to solving Kosovo problem would be giving it the status of widespread autonomy inside Serbia together with international support in restoring interethnic contacts and faster social-economic development. The result of such development could be further Serbia accession to the EU (with autonomous Kosovo as a part of it). It would be more corresponding to interests both Serbia and the European Union than proposed today deepening of relations with the EU actually in exchange for Serbia consent with sovereignty breach caused by Kosovo separation. It’s necessary to point out, that meanwhile Copenhagen criteria are ignored because of political reasonability.

Kosovo separation in 2008, incursion into Iraq in 2003, war with Yugoslavia in 1999 and other “special cases” establish dangerous tendency of international law breaking, its submission to political reasonability, finding the way out of the present-day conflicts by the mean of weapon. But the system of international law is one of the most important mankind achievements, which lets following the common rules in states relations, finding possible ways for interests harmonisation and bloodless decision in the most difficult conflict situations. Its development and further consolidation is a survival guarantee for modern civilisation, globalized mankind capability to answer jointly time challenges. Neglecting the international right and actual return to “rule of the force” will be civilisation degradation evidence.

Selective approach to justice, which was demonstrated by the Hague tribunal in relation to accused in crimes during hostilities in Kosovo with participation of Yugoslavian national army and Kosovo Liberation Army, can be also considered as a serious stroke at the international right and democratic values. Both sides were privy to acts of violence and complete acquittal of former KLA soldiers and in the same time keeping in force all accuses for former Serbian soldiers demonstrates strong prepossession.

The most evident consequence of Kosovo separation is perspective of using this case as a precedent for approach to resolving conflicts with ethnic and religious component in other regions of Europe, to which, except already mentioned Nagorno-Karabakh and Abkhazia, it’s necessary to add Transdniestria, Basque Provinces, the Crimea, South Ossetia, Nothern Ireland.

In Kosovo inhabited mainly with Serbians Mitroviza region turns gradually into “inner Serbian Kosovo”. And its inhabitants demand their own interests protection and demonstrate readiness to defend them by all means.

Taking into account everything written before, it can be stated that unlawful, but politically provided Kosovo problem solving by separation from Serbia isn’t only unacceptable for its own, but also creates number of new problems attaching interests of other European peoples and states.

Go to list

Print version