Finnish–Kosovan relations
Map indicating locations of Finland and Kosovo

Finland
Kosovo

Finland–Kosovo relations are foreign relations between Finland and Kosovo. Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008 and Finland recognised it on 7 March 2008.[1][2] Finland maintains an embassy in Pristina.[3]

History

In 1999, the President of Finland, Martti Ahtisaari, was reported as wanting to step up attempts to secure a peace agreement for Kosovo in his new role as a leading negotiator for the European Union. It was also reported that "Correspondents say that despite Mr Ahtisaari's support for air strikes, his position as president of a non-NATO country could make him palatable to Belgrade [Serbian Government]."[4] In 2007, United Nations envoy for Kosovo says independence was the "only viable option" for the territory of Kosovo.[5]

However, Ahtisaari's plan for peace failed [6] and he was unable to reconcile Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo and that "Serbians see him as a leading player in the break-up of their country." [7]

Following Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008, Kosovo Albanians living in Finland celebrated and expressed their gratitude to the Finnish Government and President Ahtisaari.[8]

Military

As of 2009, Finland has 411 troops serving in Kosovo as peacekeepers in the NATO led Kosovo Force.[9]

See also

Notes and references

    1. ↑ "Finland recognised the Republic of Kosovo (Press release 80/2008)" (Press release). Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. 2008-03-07. Retrieved 2008-03-07.
    2. ↑ "Finland recognises Kosovo". NewsRoom Finland. Helsinki: Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. 2008-03-07. Archived from the original on 2009-03-24. Retrieved 2008-03-07.
    3. ↑ "Finnish Liaison Office, Pristina (Kosovo)". Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. Archived from the original on 2009-01-21. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
    4. ↑ "Kosovo relief effort criticised". BBC News. 1999-05-18. Retrieved 2010-05-02.
    5. ↑ "UN plans for Kosovo independence". BBC News. 2007-03-27. Retrieved 2010-05-02.
    6. ↑ Hasani, Nora; Popham, Peter (2007-07-11). "Kosovo close to boiling point, warns UN chief". The Independent. London. Retrieved 2010-05-02.
    7. ↑ "Nobel Peace Prize for Finnish statesman Ahtisaari". The Irish Times. 2008-10-10.
    8. ↑ "Kosovo Albanians in Finland Celebrate Independence | News | YLE Uutiset | yle.fi". Archived from the original on 2010-06-27. Retrieved 2009-08-18.
    9. ↑ "Kosovo Force (KFOR)" www.nato.int Link accessed 21-07-09


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