Serbia hails diplomatic triumph over Kosovo

The UN yesterday (8 October) approved Serbia’s request to refer the question of Kosovo’s independence to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), a decision hailed by Belgrade as “great victory”. 

77 states in the General Assembly backed Serbia’s bid, with six voting against amid 74 abstentions, marking an important shift towards abstention compared to an earlier trial vote, in which 120 states had voted in favour of the resolution (EURACTIV 30/09/08). 

The vote reveals the delicate balance that many governments are trying to strike between lending support to Kosovo while preserving good relations with Belgrade. Among the 27 EU member states, the majority abstained, while Cyprus, Slovakia, Romania, Greece and Spain, which have refused to recognise Kosovo’s independence voted in favour. 

Portugal on Tuesday became the 22nd EU member state to recognise Kosovo, increasing the number of international recognitions to 48. 

Among Serbia’s neighbours, Bosnia, Croatia and Macedonia abstained from the vote, while Montenegro voted in favour. However, Macedonia and Montenegro, which have not recognised Kosovo yet, indicated that they might do so soon. 

Serbian officials and media hailed the vote as a “big victory”, which Serbia’s Foreign Minister Vuc Jeremi? said would “serve to reduce tensions in the region and facilitate our efforts at reconciliation”. Jeremi? thanked the other countries that had supported Serbia, adding that he hoped such cooperation over Kosovo’s status would continue. 

EU fears slowdown in Kosovo recognition

Although no EU country voted against Serbia’s bid, several EU ambassadors expressed their dismay over the initiative, fearing many states would refrain from recognising Kosovo and also halt investment there. 

They also warned Serbia that it could complicate the country’s entry into the EU. UK Permanent Representative to the UN John Sawers, whose country is one of the strongest proponents of Serbia’s EU membership, regretted that the country had decided to present its resolution “without the slightest debate”. 

“The goal of that proposal is to slow the Kosovo recognition process, and to deprive Kosovo the right to participate in international institutions,” he said. Meanwhile, the UN General Assembly ruled out a British motion to give Kosovo authorities a say at the World Court. 

It could take the ICJ up to two years to issue a final ruling, which in any case would be only symbolic as it can only give an opinion. The court is often called upon to mediate on border disputes, but UN requests for legal rulings are rare. 

Read more with Euractiv

Bosnia vote marks nationalist surge

Local elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina yesterday (5 October) confirmed deep ethnic divisions within the Balkan country, which is seen as a natural candidate for EU accession.