Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
Feb 15 2008
Azerbaijan Not in Hurry to Recognize Kosovo’s Independence
15.02.08 18:22
Azerbaijan, Baku, 15 February / Òrend News corr S. Agayeva, K.
Ramazanova / ` Azerbaijan should not hurry to recognize Kosovo’s
independence. Nobody can force us to do that. We have to wait for the
reaction of the international community,’ the independent Azerbaijani
political scientist Rasim Musabeyov said to Trend on 15 February.
On 15 February, the Kosovo Parliament approved of the resolution
allowing the passing of a set of laws on Kosovo’s independence within
24 hours.
Since 1999 Kosovo region, which is formally a part of Serbia, has
been controlled by the UN. Kosovo strives for independence, but
Serbia offers only the status of autonomic region. The EU and USA are
ready to recognize Kosovo’s independence, while Russia supports the
position of Belgrade.
` Azerbaijan should wait a little, before recognizing the
independence of Kosovo. The reaction of the International community
and Serbia is important,’ Musabeyov said.
Recognition of Kosovo’s independence cannot be a precedent for the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Spokesman for the Azerbaijani Foreign
Ministry Khazar Ibrahim said to Trend. `The countries that are saying
that they are ready to recognize the independence of Kosovo, at the
same time recognizes the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and do
not consider Kosovo to be a precedent for the other conflicts,’ he
said.
Kosovo’s independence is inadmissible for Azerbaijan, a member of the
Azerbaijani delegation to PACE Aydin Mirzazade said. `The Kosovo
Parliament hurried while declaring the independence of the region,
which is why it is opposed by the powers such as Russia and China.
The recognition process may be come to a grief,’ he said.