Kosovo–Poland relations

Kosovan–Polish relations

Kosovo
Poland

Kosovan–Polish relations are foreign relations between Kosovo[a] and Poland. Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 17 February 2008 and Poland recognised it on 26 February 2008.[1] Poland was the first Slavic country to do so.

In September 2008, President of Poland, Lech Kaczyński, stated that the original cause of the 2008 South Ossetia war was not the Georgian operation, but the recognition of Kosovo's independence[2] and that he would block attempts to establish diplomatic relations of Poland with Kosovo at ambassadorial level; however, the government has not proposed to send an ambassador to Pristina.[3]

Recognition of Kosovo's independence

The recognition of Kosovo's independence by the Polish government has been severely criticized by some Poles. Ever since Kosovo was recognized by Poland on February 26, 2008, there have been dozens of protests against the act, with some attracting up to 1,500-2000 people. Banners have been raised at football events saying "Kosovo is Serbian" in Polish and have also been raised in the bigger cities in Poland such as in Warsaw. Poland's society has not been pleased with the government decision to recognize Kosovo, due to the historically close ties between Poland and Serbia, and Poland itself in the past losing its eastern territories which it as considered its own land. An organization called "Polacy na rzecz serbskiego kosowa" (Poles for Serbian Kosovo) has been formed, and various political parties, especially nationalist groups have promoted supporting Serbia.

Military

Poland currently has 274 troops serving in Kosovo as peacekeepers in the NATO led Kosovo Force. Originally there were 800 Polish troops in KFOR.[4]

Post

As of August 2009, Polish public post service Poczta Polska is still not sending mail to Kosovo because it has not yet been added to the list of countries. The mail is directed either to the small village of Kosowo in Poland or to Kosovo in Russia.[5][6]

See also

Notes and references

Notes:

a. ^ Kosovo is the subject of a territorial dispute between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Kosovo. The latter declared independence on 17 February 2008, but Serbia continues to claim it as part of its own sovereign territory. Kosovo's independence has been recognised by 108 out of 193 United Nations member states.

References:

  1. ↑ Poland Recognizes Kosovo
  2. ↑ Let's First Help Georgia, Then Talk about Russia
  3. ↑ Poland won't open embassy in Priština
  4. ↑ "Kosovo Force (KFOR)" www.nato.int Link accessed 21-07-09
  5. ↑ "Polish post has Kosovo "somewhere in Russia"" b92.net.en 10 August 2009 Link accessed 10 August 2009
  6. ↑ Kosowo? Nie ma takiego państwa