UN police reopens border checkpoints between Kosovo and Serbia
Güncelleme Tarihi:
United Nations police in Kosovo on Wednesday reopened two border checkpoints with Serbia, a day after they were burned down by Serbs angry over Kosovos independence, as the international remains deeply divided over recognizing the newest state of the world.
"Starting from 3:00 pm (1400 GMT) on the border crossings at Leposavic and Zubin Potok, UNMIK international police are stationed there, together with a special UNMIK unit," the Kosovo Police Service said in a statement. "That means that from this time, the border points are free for traffic, as long as KFOR units are there."
NATO thwarted overnight a bid by Kosovo Serbs to assert their authority in a northern slice of the newly independent republic, restoring control on the border with Serbia where crowds had burnt down two crossing points.On the other hand Germany joined the countries who have formally recognized Kosovo. The German government on Wednesday said it would soon open an embassy in the breakaway Serbian province. "The German government has recognised the independence of Kosovo. We will in coming days convert our liaison office in Pristina into a fully fledged embassy," government spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm said.
Most EU nations are expected to follow suit but a minority within the bloc, led by Spain, has refused for fear that the Serbian provinces declaration of independence could fuel separatist aspirations in their own countries.German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said she believes that fears that Kosovo could set a dangerous precedent are unfounded. "Kosovo is a unique case, it is not comparable to any other and does not set a precedent," the chancellor said on Monday. "In my view, the overall situation in the western Balkans can only be stabilised and put on a peaceful basis if the countries in the region do not lose sight of the place Europe holds in the perspectives of both Serbia and Kosovo for the future."Â Â Â
RUSSIA'S REACTION
Russia, whose country backs ally Serbia in opposing independence for Kosovo, declared the EU's planned police mission as illegal. "The EU's unilateral decision to send a mission ... to Kosovo ... is in breach of the highest international law," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday. Lavrov, was speaking to reporters at a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan in Moscow.