Finland |
Kosovo |
Finland–Kosovo relations are foreign relations between Finland and the Republic of Kosovo[a]. Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008 and Finland recognized it on 7 March 2008.[1][2] Finland maintains an Embassy in Pristina.[3]
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In 1999, the President of Finland, Martti Ahtisaari, was reported as wanting to step up attempts to secure a peace agreement for Kosovo in his new role as a leading negotiator for the European Union. It was also reported that "Correspondents say that despite Mr Ahtisaari's support for air strikes, his position as president of a non-NATO country could make him palatable to Belgrade [Serbian Government]." [4] In 2007, United Nations envoy for Kosovo says independence was the "only viable option" for the territory of Kosovo. [5]
However, Ahtisaari's plan for peace failed [6] and he was unable to reconcile Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo and that "Serbians see him as a leading player in the break-up of their country." [7]
Following Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008, Kosovo Albanians living in Finland celebrated and expressed their gratitude to the Finnish Government and President Ahtisaari. [8]
Finland currently has 411 troops serving in Kosovo as peacekeepers in the NATO led Kosovo Force.[9]
Notes:
| a. | ^ Kosovo is the subject of a territorial dispute between the Republic of Serbia and the self-proclaimed Republic of Kosovo. The latter declared independence on 17 February 2008, while Serbia claims it as part of its own sovereign territory. Its independence is recognised by 86 UN member states. |
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