08 September 2008 Pristina _ Kosovo leaders say any move by Macedonia to condition its recognition of Kosovo’s independence on Pristina’s honouring of Macedonia’s constitutional name is unacceptable.
Kosovo’s President Fatmir Sejdiu and Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said they are committed to “good neighbouring relations with Macedonia” but they would oppose such conditions.
Although there have been no public statements from Skopje on linking the two, there has been speculation that Skopje leaders could ask Kosovo to first recognise the name ‘the Republic of Macedonia’ before Macedonia recognises Kosovo’s independence from Serbia.
“For Kosovo it’s important that relations with Macedonia continue to be good as they are. This way recognition will come too,” said Sejdiu who besides his optimism said he would not speculate on a date when Macedonia would recognise Kosovo.
Prime Minister Thaci on the other hand did not want to say anything on whether Kosovo would recognise Macedonia’s constitutional name. However, all politicians and most government and other public documents refer to Kosovo’s southern neighbour as Macedonia and not its provisional name, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
Kosovo’s President Fatmir Sejdiu and Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said they are committed to “good neighbouring relations with Macedonia” but they would oppose such conditions.
Although there have been no public statements from Skopje on linking the two, there has been speculation that Skopje leaders could ask Kosovo to first recognise the name ‘the Republic of Macedonia’ before Macedonia recognises Kosovo’s independence from Serbia.
“For Kosovo it’s important that relations with Macedonia continue to be good as they are. This way recognition will come too,” said Sejdiu who besides his optimism said he would not speculate on a date when Macedonia would recognise Kosovo.
Prime Minister Thaci on the other hand did not want to say anything on whether Kosovo would recognise Macedonia’s constitutional name. However, all politicians and most government and other public documents refer to Kosovo’s southern neighbour as Macedonia and not its provisional name, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
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