Kosovo unilateral independence move overrides Serbia opposition

Supporters of Kosovo's unilateral independence wave the flags of America and Albania in Pristina Sunday, defying Serb opposition

PRISTINA (Tiraspol Times) - In an unilateral act defying Serbian opposition, Kosovo's Parliament declared independence unilaterally on Sunday, hoping to become Europe's country. The self-proclaimed state also hastily adopted a new flag, anthem and other symbols of statehood, but has no full control over the territory that it aspires to govern. Kosovo's mostly Serb north of the Ibar River pledged continued allegiance to Serbia, to which Kosovo still belongs 'de jure', and Pristina's sovereignty also does not extend to areas inhabitants predominantly by other non-Albanians either.

Northern Kosovo is not under the control of the administration in Pristina, Kosovo's capital. It has a different language, uses a different currency, and Kosovo authorities rarely dare to go there.

Nevertheless, the newly created Kosova (an Albanian name for Kosovo) is expected to be recognized by a number of countries who value self-determination higher than the principle of territorial integrity of the Metropolitian state, in this case Serbia. These countries include France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Serbia does not recognize Kosovo's bid for independence and continues to consider Kosovo an integral part of Serbia. This is similar to the position held by Moldova, which after nearly 18 years still clings to a territorial claim over "Transnistria" (its own name for Pridnestrovie) and hopes to one day make the country a part of Moldova, ruled from Chisinau, against the wishes of the majority of the local population.

Declaring itself separate

With minority members of Kosovo's parliament not attending Sunday's session, the Albanian majority voted to declare Kosovo a sovereign state.

" - From this moment, the political position of Kosovo has changed," announced the speaker of parliament, Jakup Krasniqi, after a unilateral declaration of independence was adopted by lawmakers through a show of hands. "We are now an independent, free, sovereign and democratic country."

By officially declaring itself separate, Kosovo's Albanians put their hopes on those countries in the world whose foreign policy values self-determination aspirations higher than the principle of territorial integrity. Although Serbia has announced that it won't recognize an independent Kosovo, which it calls "a false state on our territory", some other countries have come forward with words of support and promises of diplomatic recognition.

The requirements for statehood under international law are: control of a fixed and defined territory, a permanent population, a government and finally the ability to enter into relations with other states.

Pridnestrovie (also known as Transdniestria) currently meets all of the requirements for statehood under international law. Kosovo, which has no control of its northern part, does not yet meet the territorial requirement. It is also unclear whether its government is truly sovereign, since any decision which it takes is subject to UN and EU vetoes.

The government of Pridnestrovie has repeatedly said that it has a better case for statehood than Kosovo, based on both historical facts and international law. It welcomes Kosovo as a precedent, however, because any country which recognizes Kosovo will be hard pressed to explain why it then doesn't also recognize Pridnestrovie and any other states in similar circumstances.

See also:
» Can a country legally exist if it is "self-proclaimed"..?
» President: Transdniester deserves independence more than Kosovo
» Kosovo's "inevitable" independence sets important precedent for Transdniestria; others
» Observer from Kosovo wants separate statehood for Pridnestrovie

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» "Massive" ethnic cleansing in Transnistria

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