New Kosova Report

Romania to help Kosovo's EU aspirations

Tuesday, 01 July 2008

Romania, as one of the few countries of the European Union that has refused to recognize Kosovo independence, has soften its stance towards practical matters concerning the new nation.

Romanian Foreing Minister, Lazar Comanescu, during a visit to Tirana, Albania, stressed that "Romania will strongly support Kosovo's aspirations to integrate in the European family."

The foreing minister assured his Albanian counterpart, Lulezim Basha, that "Romania will not block Kosovo's interests in the context of the European perspective."

"Our stance on the issue of the independence of Kosovo is well known, however if you review the communique of from the recent European Council meeting, there we have a clear supportive position on Kosovo regarding the agreement of UNMIK and EU to deploy the EULEX mission," said the Romanian Foreign Minister.

Minister Comanescu concluded that "all these are positive signals that represent a united voice of the European Union to help the development of Kosovo. After all, this the most essential issue."

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PaulR said:

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As a Romanian here is my take on the reasons why Romania decided not to recognize Kosovo's independence.
In 1918 Romania gained several of its regions (most importantly Transylvania where Romanians were and are overall the majority) as a direct result of the principle of national self-determination. Since that moment, that principle faded in importance and the principle of territorial integrity became more important for Romanian politicians because other neighbors wanted to change those borders. 90 years later this is still the case although in a different and less tense environment. In a region of Transylvania (2&1/2 counties known as Székely Land) the Hungarian minority demands territorial autonomy (they are a majority in those counties). Romanian politicians oppose autonomy based on ethnic considerations. Accepting Kosovo's declaration of independence would mean the weakening of the Romanian side in this internal dispute and also the weakening of the principle of territorial integrity.
Another reason for not accepting Kosovo's UDI concerns Romania's relations with Serbia. From all its neighbors Serbia has been Romania's best neighbor - meaning least worst (Moldova is a special case). Pleurat Sejdiu is right about the situation of Romanians in the Timok Valley.
I don't think there are any religious reasons in the whole thing, even though Romanians tend to have warmer feelings towards Serbs than towards Albanians. As the Serb nationalism, Romanian nationalism was build on the idea of the fight against the Ottomans. But this is not (so) important in the current issue. I do think however that Romania will recognize Kosovo's independence in the future.

July 15, 2008
Votes: +0

pakashtica said:

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Religion not an issue in Kosovo’s case, otherwise all courtiers members of Islamic League would recognize Republic of Kosovo as Independent State and not the most democratic Christian states. If would be question of religion why than Russians don’t end the occupation of 1/3 of the territory of Moldova which is a Christian nation! ?Why Christian Serbs was the main suppliers with weaponry of Sadam's Iraq, Libia, Hesbollah, Al-kaida ...to kill Christian brothers from all over the world, including Romanian soldiers, in Iraq, Afghanistan ...
Each nation should be proud of its religion but Democracy and freedom of people should be the only leading philosophy of modern age. Nationalism has destroyed so many nations, religious nationalism is destroying more and more countries and nations.
We all should remember that we are part of europen civilisation and not part of north carpatian mentality.

July 02, 2008
Votes: +3

pleurat sejdiu said:

	... ....and I can not forget to recall the support of albanian nation by "great romanian" Nicolae Iorga
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July 02, 2008
Votes: +2

pleurat sejdiu said:

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to FELIX: Yes, we never considered Romania and the Romanians as enemies, but as a brother nation as we are from our predecessors. Just remember Stefan cel Mare,Vasile Lupu (Albanian),Familia Ghika (Albanian),Victor Eftimiu (albanian).......we are proud that our national anthem is one of songs of Tudor Vladimirescu revolution which was helped by Naum Virgilharqi (albanian).....Religion, it meters but not a lot! Albanians are living in harmony with all three religion (we have muslims,orthodox and Catholics),marriages are very common. Albanians with majority Muslim population has democratically elected the orthodocs priest as its prime minister, Fan Noli ho lived for years in Romania and chaired a church in Lipscan in centre of Bucuresti,As fare as I know Romanian people has no "religious hatred record' in its existence but tolerance and harmony. I respect peaceful historical links of Romania with Serbs but I should remember the forced assimilation of Romanians in Timok Valley in Serbia, assimilation that is going on for centuries and is not based in religious aspect but in Serbian nationalism.

July 02, 2008
Votes: +2

felix said:

	... To Pakashtica.... We are not your enemies. Yet, historical links with the Serbs put us in that position. We have a word to keep. Otherwise, diplomacy rules... Everybody knows that... And - last but not least - religion is a matter.
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July 02, 2008
Votes: +1

Cri said:

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@pakashtica: As you have probably realized by your own comment, and the content of the article, Romania supports the Kosovars (of any ethnicity). This already counts a lot.

However, it cannot yet recognize the independence of Kosovo yet. There needs to be a deal between Serbia and Kosovo, with which both sides are satisfied. The legal status of Kosovo has very wide implications, and could cause regional instability in the Balkans, or in other parts of the world.

If it is something that we as Romanians have through the history, it is to be patient. Our current political class does not have strong world visions, and as such, it cannot take informed decisions about such sensitive topics. I salute their strong will to take the time for the country to take this decision, and not hastily jump into the same boat as the big powers of the world, only to be in the same boat.

I think Romania will continue its support for the people of Kosovo, and their right to self-determination as established through the UN.

July 02, 2008
Votes: -3

pakashtica said:

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By living in Romania for 8 years,'82-'90,and by following closely the political development of Romanian politics and by knowing very well the history of Romania and Romanian people I was surprised by the stand of Romanian politician on Kosovo Issue. I can not understand haw can a country that has suffered a lot by being partitioned by Russians, by being oppressed by communist dictatorship for more than 45 years, by being "cradle" of Albanian movements for freedom and independence, by being one of few courtiers and nations which opened the door to Albanians fleeing in front of ottomans (from Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia) put such a tuff resistance to kosovar people and Kosovo’s independence. Romanian politicians and Diplomats knows very well that Kosovo’s independence does not have nothing in similarities with "Transnistria", Transilvania or other so called frozen conflicts. By recognizing Republic of Kosovo, Romania will regain the position of "political superpower" of Balkans as it was. By Recognising Kosovo’s independence Romania will finally distance it's self from prorussian image and finely Romania will be again the main factor of stability in Balkans. Romania is and must be part of European common policy as very important factor of stability in Balkans.