UNPO - Kosova: Montenegro to Decide on Its Recognition Soon

Ranko Krivokapic says that the resolution on recognizing Kosovo will be brought by the Cabinet.

Below is an article published by the Javno :

The Cabinet of Montenegro will decide on the issue of Kosovo, most probably after the UN General Assembly decides if they will accept Serbia’s request, about the legality of Kosovo’s declaration of independence. The request states that the International Court of Justice needs to voice its stance on the matter, report the Montenegrin media on Thursday [2 October 2008].

The media stresses that the introduction into this will be tomorrow’s discussion [3 October 2008] in the parliament of Montenegro. It will be about the proposed resolution on Euro-Atlantic integrations, which was proposed by the ruling coalition, in which, amongst other things, talks about recognizing the independence of Kosovo as a significant part of that process.

The president of the Montenegrin parliament Ranko Krivokapic stated that the resolution for recognizing Kosovo will be brought by the Cabinet, but that the parliament needs to discuss it because it is a part of their politics towards the European Union.

“The parliament of Montenegro does not have the will or jurisdiction to bring a resolution about the recognition of Kosovo, because this is the job of the Cabinet, but the fact is that it is a part of our packet of movement towards the EU” said Krivokapic.

Montenegro following strategic interests

Premier Milo Djukanovic stated, after talks led by his Serbian colleague Mirko Cvetkovic on Wednesday [1 October 2008] afternoon in Podgorica, that Montenegro will not change its stance in relation to Kosovo.

“Montenegro has a lot of understanding for the politics of the Serbian Cabinet, but it will continue to follow the strategic interests of the country that unconditionally ensures its quick European and Euro-Atlantic future”, says Djukanovic.

The Montenegrin Cabinet reported that during those talks, the Serbian premier conveyed his expectations that “after the UN General Assembly, this issue will be moved from the political to the legal context”, whilst a Serbian Cabinet statement said that Cvetkovic “called upon Montenegro to not recognize the independence of Kosovo”.

On October 8 [2008], the UN General Assembly should decide upon Serbia’s request that the International Court of Justice state the legality of Kosovo’s declaration of Independence. In Podgorica, it is clear to everyone that Montenegro will soon recognize the independence of Kosovo, despite Serbia’s disapproval and the Serbian lobby in Montenegro, which, if it happens, have announced protests.