Delay in Finnish recognition of Kosovo independence

"Practical reasons" given for postponement

print this

Finland will not yet grant official recognition to Kosovo on Friday this week, as had been suggested in a number of previous statements.
      The Ministry for Foreign Affairs was ready to bring the matter before the Presidential session of the government on Friday. However, Helsingin Sanomat has learned from its sources that President Tarja Halonen had indicated on Tuesday that she does not want the Kosovo matter on the agenda of the meeting.
      Different reasons were given for the delay. According to the Presidential Office, there never was a timetable for the recognition of Kosovo.
      Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre) says that more time was needed to satisfy the constitutional requirement of cooperation of the different branches of government in foreign policy decision-making.
     
The Presidential Office insists that there is no drama in the postponement. The office mentioned President Halonen's travel schedule. She returns to Finland on Friday morning from Vietnam, the last country of her Asian tour.
      However, Friday's Presidential session has not been cancelled.
      President Halonen's spokespeople could not say if the matter of recognising Kosovo would be discussed a week later.
      Prime Minister Vanhanen says that the delay hinges on practical arrangements.
      He said that the government cannot discuss the matter before the Prime Minister and the President have talked about it first. "We will meet first on Friday, so the first possibility to hold a Council of State is in the next week", Vanhanen said.
     
The political will to recognise Kosovo has been stated at the ministerial committee on foreign and security policy a few weeks ago, and Vanhanen has indicated that formal recognition will take place through normal channels.
      Vanhanen said that the schedule for the recognition of Kosovo would be agreed at a meeting on Friday between himself and President Halonen.
     
According to civil servant sources, everything was ready for the handling of the Kosovo issue in the manner that was previously agreed upon. Finland announced its readiness to recognise Kosovo along with a vast majority of EU countries on Monday, the day after the unilateral declaration of independence was made.
      Minister for Foreign Affairs Ilkka Kanerva (Nat. Coalition Party) said that Friday this week would be the first possible day for official recognition, and civil servants confirmed the date in various connections. Kanerva was travelling in the Caucasus on Wednesday, and did not comment on the altered schedule.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Finland prepares to recognise Kosovo independence (19.2.2008)
  Finland to give rapid recognition to Kosovo (13.2.2008)

Helsingin Sanomat