Kosovo bloggers welcome Montenegro and Macedonia's recognition

17/10/2008

In the wake of Montenegrin and Macedonian leaders' recognition of Kosovo independence in early October, Kosovo bloggers are effusively praising the decision.

By Besa Beqiri for Southeast European Times in Pristina – 17/10/08

A day after the UN General Assembly adopted a Serbian resolution asking the International Court of Justice to assess the legality of Kosovo's declaration of independence, Pristina's Koha Vision TV reported Macedonia and Montenegro's recognition of Kosovo independence.

Kosovo media unanimously voiced "hvala lijepo" ("thank you") to the two countries and their leaders, reflecting the general sentiment of the Kosovo Albanian majority.

In the UN decision-making, though, the two countries were more reluctant to offend Belgrade. Skopje abstained from voting, while Podgorica voted in favour of the Serbian resolution. Among the former Yugoslav republics outside Serbia, only Bosnia and Herzegovina has yet to recognise Kosovo.

Xheki, an Albanian from Montenegro, says he will celebrate the recognition of Kosovo by Montenegro together with his Montenegrin friends.

"Thank you, Montenegro," writes Kujtimi from Kosovo. "It's good news, but Montenegro had its own interests [in recognising Kosovo independence], because it intends to become part of the EU," says Bekimi from Pristina.

Blogger Visari is thanking the Albanians in Macedonia and Montenegro for their contribution to the recent diplomatic victories.

On Koha Vision (Kosovo TV), Macedonian Foreign Minister Antonio Milosovski said both states, Serbia and Kosovo, are important for his country. As Macedonia recognised Kosovo independence, Kosovo in turn announced its recognition of Macedonia's constitutional name on Monday.

"Bravo, Skopje," exclaims Naser Prapashtica, while Velson writes: "Macedonia, after all, recognised the independence of Kosovo. I am so happy for this recognition."

Montenegrin Foreign Minister Milan Rocen said that Montenegro's decision to recognise Kosovo independence follows the position and decisions of the EU.

As a consequence, both countries faced Belgrade's furious reaction and criticism from pro-Serbian members of the public.

In Podgorica, about 10,000 pro-Serbian protesters demonstrated against the government's decision to recognise Kosovo independence. The protesters chanted "Treason! Treason!" and "Kosovo is Serbia!" Opposition leaders gave Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic a 48-hour deadline to annul the recognition of Kosovo or face a referendum on the issue, Balkan Insight reported.

Kosovo Albanian bloggers, in turn, cheered Djukanovic. "Bravo, Milo Djukanovic for your courage and clear vision for the people and the state you lead," exclaimed Kosovo blogger Fisi.