Kosovo - a new country in Europe

Tuzvihar wrote: So, today Kosovo declared independence. What will be the implications? Do you agree that this act states a precedent for other provinces of European countries such as North Ireland or the Basque Provinces? Three EU states - Cyprus, Romania and Slovakia - have told other EU governments that they will not recognise Kosovo. And, obviously, Russia who said that Western recognition of an independent Kosovo could have implications for the Georgian breakaway provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The head of Serbian Orthodox Church, bishop Artemije, said that Serbia should mobilize its army and take the rebellious province by force... The article on BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7249034.stm

What about Chechnya?

Let's see:

Cyprus won't recognise Kosovo because it's afraid this would set a precedent for the Turkish part of Cyprus.

Russia won't recognise Kosovo because it's afraid it'll fall apart.

Slovakia won't recognise Kosovo because it's afraid this would set a precedent for ... whom? Moravia? Or some sort of  Slovakian territory where the Hungarian minority is actually a majority?

Romania won't recognise Kosovo because it's afraid this would set a precedent for ... whom? The Hungarian minority again?

And Bosnia prolly won't recgnise Kosovo, because of what, Hertzegovina?

What a mess.

Bring back the Roman Empire, I say.

I can be emperor.

If we're talking about the Roman Empire, as PA's only resident Roman citizen, I demand to be made empress...

Seriously speaking, though, this is a potentially very divisive (if not downright explosive) situation. As a staunchly non-patriotic person, I have trouble in understanding either point of view. Cherishing our own roots is one thing, fragmentation is another. On the other hand, being part of a larger state shouldn't mean that the aforementioned roots should be disrespected, or even annihilated.... It certainly is not an easy issue, and there are no easy solutions.

Cool, so to be fair then, Micky will have to be emperor.

And I'll be the general who gets to overthrow you.

TBH, the whole Balkans should be divided into as many countries as they have ethnicities/religions, and every country should be for one Balkan people only. It'll prolong their average lifespan.

I just hid a post here, as well as a few that quoted it. Reason needs no further explanation to those who saw it. Be careful, and think before you write, or this thread is over and done with.

And I don't think I have to explain that any remarks made here that are, or border on, racism will result in more severe actions.



Edited by Angelo - February 17 2008 at 15:30

No need to be impressed, folks... I guess that in this moment there are more than one hundred "countries" around the world (and the Moon too, I'm quite sure) waiting to be recognized... but some never will.

Ghandi 2 and I said more or less the same thing.

Anyway, enough off-topicness from me.

I've seen that book at an airport book store once, and it looked interesting. Never got around to buying it then or later, and I had to run to catch a flight at the time. Maybe when I run into it again...

Cyprus, Romania, Russia and Slovakia seem to think so.

Tuzvihar wrote: But you still hasn't answered my question... Tuzvihar wrote: Do you agree that this act states a precedent for other provinces of European countries such as North Ireland or the Basque Provinces?

It does to some, not to others. From what I know, the Basques would maybe grab the opportunity, Northern Ireland seems to be more torn between being part of the UK or being part of Ireland.

The same question could be asked about Belgium, although they are quite a few steps behind. They've been struggling for months to get a new government set up, while the Flemish at some point wanted to declare their independence.

But, I don't know all details of either case, and given that borders and governments have shifted frequently since the days of Raff's beloved Roman Empire, what makes us think we are civilised enough in this century to end that here and now?