Kosovo's PM: First year a success
Güncelleme Tarihi:
The Associated Press
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Şubat 17, 2009 00:00
PRISTINA - Kosovo's first year of independence has been a success even though it's been recognized by just a few dozen countries, its prime minister declared yesterday.
In an interview with The Associated Press on the eve of his nation's first statehood anniversary, Hashim Thaci said he's certain that many more countries eventually will grant full diplomatic recognition to Europe's newest nation.
"Kosovo will become a member of NATO, the European Union and the United Nations, and we will be recognized by the entire world," he predicted.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia on Feb. 17, 2008. Although it gained swift recognition from the United States and key European powers - including Britain, France, Germany and Italy Ğ only 22 of the EU's 27 member states have endorsed it.
Worldwide, just 54 nations have given Kosovo formal recognition, and some are tiny countries such as Micronesia and the Marshall Islands that don't have much global influence.
In the giddy days that followed its independence declaration, Thaci had predicted quick recognition from at least 100 countries.
But Thaci insisted the muted expressions of solidarity have not weakened the fledgling country, and said he's not disappointed.
"It's not the numbers but the value they represent," he told the AP in his office as workers outside decorated the main boulevard in the capital with Kosovo, EU and U.S. flags.
Serbia bitterly refuses to recognize the independence of Kosovo, a former part of Serbia that is 90 percent ethnic Albanian. Russia, an ally of Serbia, has also refused to recognize Kosovo.
Thaci accused the Serbian government of undermining Kosovo's sovereignty and "sticking to the mentality of Slobodan Milosevic," the late Serbian strongman who sent troops into Kosovo to crush a 1998-99 ethnic Albanian rebellion.
"Kosovo will become a member of NATO, the European Union and the United Nations, and we will be recognized by the entire world," he predicted.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia on Feb. 17, 2008. Although it gained swift recognition from the United States and key European powers - including Britain, France, Germany and Italy Ğ only 22 of the EU's 27 member states have endorsed it.
Worldwide, just 54 nations have given Kosovo formal recognition, and some are tiny countries such as Micronesia and the Marshall Islands that don't have much global influence.
In the giddy days that followed its independence declaration, Thaci had predicted quick recognition from at least 100 countries.
But Thaci insisted the muted expressions of solidarity have not weakened the fledgling country, and said he's not disappointed.
"It's not the numbers but the value they represent," he told the AP in his office as workers outside decorated the main boulevard in the capital with Kosovo, EU and U.S. flags.
Serbia bitterly refuses to recognize the independence of Kosovo, a former part of Serbia that is 90 percent ethnic Albanian. Russia, an ally of Serbia, has also refused to recognize Kosovo.
Thaci accused the Serbian government of undermining Kosovo's sovereignty and "sticking to the mentality of Slobodan Milosevic," the late Serbian strongman who sent troops into Kosovo to crush a 1998-99 ethnic Albanian rebellion.