DENMARK RECOGNIZES KOSOVO AS AN INDEPENDENT STATE

On 17 February 2008, the Assembly of Kosovo declared Kosovo’s independence. On the same day, President Sejdiu and Prime Minister Thaci sent a letter to Minister for Foreign Affairs Per Stig Møller with a request to recognize Kosovo. Kosovo commits itself - both in the Declaration of Independence and in the letter - to the full implementation of all obligations contained in the Comprehensive Proposal of the UN Special Envoy Ahtisaari including the obligations that establish a multi-ethnic framework for enforcing and protecting the rights of all groups. Furthermore, Kosovo also accepts the obligations that concern the international supervision of Kosovo’s implementation of the Ahtisaari Plan.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs states:

‘As of today, Denmark recognizes Kosovo as an independent state. It is a key issue for the Danish government that Kosovo is committed to establishing a democratic, secular and multi-ethnic state that ensures the protection of minorities. The new Kosovo is committed to implementing the Ahtisaari Plan and has accepted that the international community will monitor the implementation of the Plan. The European Union has shown determination by launching an ESDP mission and by appointing an EU Special Representative that will contribute to the implementation of the Ahtisaari Plan for Kosovo. I look forward to further developing the already good relations between Denmark and Kosovo.’