Declaration of Greek President Karolos Papoulias about Kosovo solution

Papoulias: International community should insist on pursuit of talks between Belgrade and Pristina

December 04, 2009

The international community should insist on continuation of negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina because the UN mediator Maarti Ahtisaari's plan was made in haste, Greek President Carolos Papoulias said in Prague.

"Countries that don't recognize Kosovo are actually safeguarding their own national interests", he added

"Now we have a problem - as regards the development of the Balkan region, Kosovo will remain a flashpoint", the Greek president said.

Papoulias' comments come days before European Union consultations on the promotion of Turkey's EU accession course and a decision on whether to start accession talks with fYRoM.

"We are not going to make concessions for Turkey," Papoulias said, while also cautioning that "if fYRoM does not compromise (on the name issue) a repeat of Bucharest will occur," a reference to the neighbouring country's failed bid to join NATO due to the nagging dispute.