Kosovo’s Independence Leaves World Worried
Originally published March 18, 2008
EU members Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Romania have all thus far refused to recognize Kosovo’s independence due to concerns about their own ethnic minorities. Other countries worried about a possible precedent being set include China, Russia, Georgia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Israel. Even countries which have recognized Kosovo, such as France and Turkey, face minorities agitating for independence. Some have gone so far as to say that the recognition of Kosovo undermines the very notion of the multi-ethnic state, and a chain reaction may soon occur in which separatist movements in the wide range of countries listed above feel empowered to declare their own independence. Such a series of events, if it were to occur, would lead to a nearly unparalleled international crisis.
