PRESIDENT ADAMKUS WELCOMES KOSOVO INEDEPENDENCE
Monday, February 18, Ixtapa, Mexico – President Valdas Adamkus welcomed Kosovo’s declaration of independence, describing it as the only way of ensuring long-term stability in region.
“Lithuania, as member of the European Union and NATO, has always underlined the importance of security and stability,” Mr. Adamkus said. “I am convinced that security in Europe is impossible without a stable Kosovo.”
EU member states issued a declaration on Kosovo’s independence stating that EU countries could make independent decisions, based on their national practice and international law, in respect of the development of their relationship with Kosovo as an independent state.
“I have therefore asked Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Petras Vaitiekūnas to request the Seimas in the immediate future to start the procedure of Kosovo’s recognition. Most of EU member states also intend to take this path,” Mr. Adamkus said.
He pointed out that the Kosovo case was unique and could not be treated as a precedent for other countries where the situation was radically different.
President Adamkus emphasized the need to further expand EU-Serbia relations.
“It is greatly important for the European Union to find more and broader cooperation opportunities with Serbia and once again confirm that all Western Balkan countries have a European perspective,” Mr. Adamkus said.
Press Service of the President
