Albania Urges China to Recognise Kosovo

Tirana | 31 August 2010 |

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in February 2008

Albanian political leaders have called on China to recognise Kosovo's independence as they continue to lobby on behalf of the state.

During a meeting with senior Chinese Communist Party officials in Tirana on Monday, President Bamir Topi and Prime Minister Sali Berisha called on Beijing to not only recognise Kosovo's independence state, but to use its influence on the UN Security Council to back recognition from other members.

A statement from the president’s office on Tuesday read: “President Topi stressed the need for the expansion of the geographic map of countries that have recognised Kosovo, where China can play a constructive and determinant role for the future."

“Kosovo’s independence serves peace and stability in the region,” Prime Minister Sali Berisha told Liu Yunshian, the Minister of Public Affairs who headed the Chinese delegation.

Meanwhile, Albanian Foreign Minister Ilir Meta is due to depart on a tour in Central America in search of further recognition for what appears to be Europe’s newest state.

Ethnic Albanians make up roughly 90 per cent of Kosovo’s two million-strong population.

Albania was among the first country's to recognise Pristina’s declaration of independence from Serbia on February 17, 2008 and has since actively lobbied other countries to follow suit.

Serbia, which vehemently opposes the secession of its former province, brought the case before the International Court of Justice, ICJ, later that year, asking the UN high court to give an advisory opinion on the legality of the declaration, and it has also carried out a major diplomatic effort in an attempt to prevent states recognising independence.

The Hague-based court's advisory opinion on July 22, stating Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence was not illegal, has been seen as a major victory for Pristina.