Finland to give rapid recognition to Kosovo

Announcement possible even without joint EU decision

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Finland is ready to recognise Kosovo, the predominantly ethnic Albanian province of Serbia as an independent country soon after the region issues a unilateral declaration of independence. Helsingin Sanomat has learned from its sources that Finland will announce its intention to recognise Kosovo together with a majority of member states of the European Union, even if the EU's foreign ministers do not manage to agree on a joint declaration on Kosovo.
     
The sources say that the planned sequence of events has been approved by the government's committee on foreign and security policy, chaired by President Tarja Halonen.
      The plan has not been made public, because both the Kosovo declaration of independence and the wording of the EU's statement are still being worked on.
      The EU has a key role in the international monitoring of an independent Kosovo, but especially Cyprus and a few other member states are opposed to recognising Kosovo.
     
Kosovo's leaders say that the province is preparing to declare itself independent on Sunday, after having been under United Nations supervision since the war between NATO and Yugoslavia in the spring of 1999. Since then, Serbia, has insisted that Kosovo should remain one of its provinces.
      Finland expects that the leadership of Kosovo will issue a declaration of independence, inviting the international community to support the move. In addition, Kosovo will commit itself to the independence plan drawn up by former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari. The plan includes extensive actions to secure the rights of Kosovo's Serb minority.
     
On Monday the foreign ministers of the European Union countries will try to draw up a statement giving a green light to recognising Kosovo. The aim is to prevent the repetition of what happened at the beginning of the disintegration of Yugoslavia, in which the countries of Europe hastened to grant recognition without taking a common line on the matter.
      Cyprus might prevent passage of the statement, which requires unanimity, but even if that happens, the Helsingin Sanomat source says that there are at least 20 EU member states, Finland, included, starting the recognition process.
      At first, Finland will officially announce its desire to recognise Kosovo. Next, Kosovo will ask for recognition, and the Finnish government will give its approval. Finally the matter will be put before Parliament.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  UN Security Council begins debate on Ahtisaari Kosovo plan (4.4.2007)
  Ahtisaari proposes independence for Kosovo (27.3.2007)
  Kanerva: Finland ready for new tasks in Kosovo (11.1.2008)
  Crisis management forces in Kosovo upgrade readiness level (9.12.2007)
  Ahtisaari expects Russian veto of Kosovo plan (20.6.2007)

Helsingin Sanomat