Kosovo–Macedonia relations

Kosovan–Macedonian relations are foreign relations between Kosovo and the Republic of Macedonia. Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008 and Macedonia recognized Kosovo on 9 October 2008. [cite web | url=http://www.mia.com.mk/default.aspx?vId=57722300&lId=2 | title=Macedonia recognizes Kosovo | publisher=Macedonian Information Agency | location=Skopje | work=MIA.com.mk | date=2008-10-09 | accessdate=2008-10-09 ] [ [http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/236284,montenegro-macedonia-recognize-kosovo--summary.html Montenegro, Macedonia recognize Kosovo - Summary] ] Before the recognition, the President Branko Crvenkovski said "The Republic of Macedonia will decide its view when we deem it most appropriate for our interests. Macedonia would follow the position of NATO and the European Union on Kosovo, but nations in the two organisations have to yet to assume a common stance." [cite news|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/26/europe/EU-GEN-EU-Balkans.php|title=Macedonia's president cautious on Kosovo, dispute with Greece|publisher=International Herald Tribune|date=2008-02-26|accessdate=2008-04-05] [cite news|url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/8186/|title=Kosovo Neighbours Wary Of Recognition|publisher=Balkan Insight|date=2008-02-26|accessdate=2008-04-05] The Democratic Party of Albanians left the government coalition on March 13 2008 after it failed to meet their six demands, recognising Kosovo's independence being one of them. However, it returned on 24 March 2008 after demanding the recognition of Kosovo. [ [http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=137135 "Albanian party in Macedonia returns to government"] , "Reuters", printed in "Today's Zaman", 24 March 2008. Link accessed 2008-04-05.] On 27 March 2008, Macedonian minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Milošoski issed the following statement: "In welcoming the constructive position of the Republic of Macedonia concerning Kosovo, the Commission on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament has expressed concern because of delay in the technical demarcation of the Republic of Macedonia-Kosovo borderline and has asked that this issue be solved in accordance with the Ahtisaari proposal." [ [http://www.mfa.gov.mk/default1.aspx?ItemID=318&id=379 "Press release: THE COMMISSION ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT IN BRUSSELS ADOPTS THE 2007 PROGRESS REPORT ON THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA"] , Ministry of the Foreign Affairs:"Media Center", 27 March 2008. Link accessed 2008-04-05.] . This reiterated Macedonia's support for the Ahtisaari plan for Kosovo, which was endorsed by the foreign affairs ministry a year earlier, on 30 March 2007. [http://www.mfa.gov.mk/default1.aspx?ItemID=320&id=35 "Press release: INFORMAL MEETING OF MINISTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION MEMBER-STATES"] , Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia: "Media Center", 30 March 2007. Link accessed 2008-04-05.] On July 10, Foreign Ministry spokesman Petar Culev announced that Macedonia will accept new Kosovan passports. [ [http://balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/11717/ Macedonia to Accept Kosovo Passports] ] Ali Ahmeti, leader of the ethnic Albanian Democratic Union for Integration party, which is a member of the governing coalition, however Ahmeti has no role as minister in the government, said Macedonia would recognise Kosovo after problems over the border demarcation were resolved. [cite news|url=http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n150277|title=Recognition of Kosovo by Macedonia not far: DUI leader|publisher=Focus Information Agency|date=2008-08-23|accessdate=2008-08-23] Macedonia has 158.7 km-long border with Kosovo.

See also

* Foreign relations of Kosovo
* Foreign relations of the Republic of Macedonia

References