09/07/2010 11:58
EP calls for EU member states to recognize Kosovo’s independence
The European Parliament (EP) in Strasbourg on Thursday adopted a resolution calling for all the European Union member states to recognize the independence of Kosovo.
EP members held a debate on Wednesday on two resolutions regarding the progress of Albania and Kosovo on their roads to EU integration. Addressing the session, Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele welcomed Tirana's progress in meeting conditions for visa liberalisation, but pointed out that problems remain, stemming from the political stalemate, SETimes.com reported.
The resolution, passed by a vote of 455 to 150, calls on the five remaining EU member states to recognize Kosovo's independence in order to make the European policy more effective and to create opportunities for EU states to share a common foreign policy.
The independence of Kosovo was declared on February 18, 2008. Currently, it has been recognized by 66 countries, of which 22 are EU States. Five EU states out of 27 (these are Spain, Romania, Slovakia, Cyprus and Greece) haven’t yet recognized Kosovo’s independence.