The ICJ ruling on Kosovo is "neither a cause to claim victory nor a cause for depression", said the foreign affairs spokesman of the European Parliament's main progressive group today. 

 

Instead, said Adrian Severin, vice-president of the 184-strong Socialists and Democrats group, the parties should be encouraged to address outstanding, unsolved issues in an EU framework.  He appealed to the international community to desist from putting pressure on either side.

 

Said Mr Severin:  "The ruling addresses one part of the problem -- the unilateral declaration of independence -- but it does not resolve the whole problem. 

 

"The wider problem is the sustainability of Kosovo, its capacity to fulfill the objective criteria required by the international law for recognition by the majority of the international community and how Kosovo could reconcile its aspirations with its duties in terms of stability, security and cooperation in the Western Balkans.

 

"We call on those directly involved to use this decision not to cry victory or to fall into depression but to show a mature and rational attitude.  They should now start going forward and address the remaining unsolved issues.

 

"To this end, direct dialogue between Serbs and Kosovars are crucial.  These talks should neither be about the past nor even the present but about the future and the status of their relations preferably within the EU."

 

Mr Severin added:  "We believe that the best framework in which their relations can be addressed is the European Union.  We therefore call on EU institutions to offer this framework for dialogue as well as a platform for a political solution."

 

+ 32 2 284 30 61

+ 33 3 88 17 29 98

+ 32 475 25 74 10

Associated media

Delicious Digg Facebook Reddit Stumpleupon Google Live Yahoo