Europe
Documents & Texts from the Washington File
05 February 2009
U.S.-European Partnership Securing Kosovo's Future
By David McKeeby
Staff Writer
Washington — As Kosovo nears the first anniversary of its independence, America and its European allies remain firmly committed to the new Balkan nation’s success, says U.S. diplomat Kyle Scott.
"The development of a multiethnic democracy in Kosovo which protects minority rights and religious freedom, and which has government institutions that can deliver stability and prosperity for its people, is a goal that we should all support," Scott told fellow representatives to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna on February 5.
Kosovo declared independence February 17, 2008, after nearly a decade of U.N. administration that followed the 1999 NATO-led intervention to stop attacks on the former Serbian province’s 90 percent ethnic Albanian majority. Today, 54 nations — including a majority of OSCE member states — have recognized Kosovo’s independence, Scott said.
In June 2008, the European Union’s Rule of Law Mission took over from the United Nations pre-independence administration in Kosovo. It is joined by the 56-nation OSCE in helping Kosovo’s leaders to build strong democratic governing institutions and promote human rights and the rule of law. Scott also cited as progress creation of the new Kosovo Security Force, which he called "a step in the right direction."
Reconciliation with Kosovo’s ethnic Serbian minority remains a major challenge, Scott said. "The engagement of the Serbian community in Kosovo’s politics and municipal administrations is a critical element for the development of a prosperous, multiethnic, democratic state that also simply makes life better for Kosovo Serbs by improving local governance and services."
Frank Wisner, former U.S. envoy to the U.N.-brokered talks on Kosovo’s future, said the Balkan nation’s road to independence is an example to the world of how the international community can come together for peace.
Kosovo represents a "signal that the international community can make a difference," Wisner said in a March 2008 America.gov interview. The intensive global cooperation shown by nations in building Kosovo could be an example for other conflict-resolution efforts, including work for the creation of a future Palestinian state. "We need to see … many positive examples to support that quest for statehood." (See "Kosovo Independence Significant in Muslim World, Envoy Says.")
As Kosovo continues to change, so too should the OSCE mission, Scott said. "Now is a good time to look at things from a fresh perspective to ensure that the mission’s activities are complementary with those of other organizations and are focused in areas where the OSCE has proven competency."
"The United States will continue to strongly support and assist Kosovo," Scott said. "Continued international engagement in Kosovo will help facilitate its integration into European and regional institutions, such as the OSCE. This will help secure the future for Kosovo and its citizens and will also contribute to stability for its neighbors in Europe and the wider OSCE region."
What actions should President Obama take to strengthen partnerships in Europe? Comment on America.gov’s blog.
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