We pray for acceptance as a pathway to Peace

SELF-DETERMINATION

17th Febuaray 2008 - A Day to celebrate as Kosovo prepares to form Europe's newest State. Citizens rejoiced in the streets of Kosovo.

Many ethnic Albanians wrapped themselves in the red Albanian flag and paraded on Mother Theresa Boulevard in downtown Pristina, as most of Kosovo celebrated today's 'declaration of independence', from Serbia.

While it is GOOD to CELEBRATE, local citizens in Kosovo also understand that they have difficult times ahead.

As changes of many descriptions begin in Kosovo and tensions continue, the EU leads the way for it's apt concern and attempts to come to terms with "human rights" and the problem with maintaining capital markets. This is the challenge for all economies and until the world begins to see it, it will be those economies brave enough to begin the process who will bare the brunt. Below is an article I found that outlines the shere merit behind discussions in the EU. I credit the EU for its powerful arguments, the fact that it bothers to argue, as it trys to look at the bigger picture. This is true leadership as far as I am concerned. ____________________________ The European Union will try to overcome sharp differences over dealing with rising powers Russia and China at a foreign ministers' retreat in Slovenia starting on Friday. Ministers will also seek to give tangible incentives to Western Balkans countries to pursue European integration and turn their backs on nationalism, despite heightened tension over Kosovo's secession from Serbia. The suppression of pro-independence protests in Tibet has forced the issue of China on to the agenda, highlighting unease in the 27-nation bloc over how to balance lucrative trade and investment ties with human rights concerns. "Several ministers wanted to have a discussion on Tibet," a Slovenian EU presidency spokeswoman said. The issue was added to the agenda this week. Some senior EU politicians, including European Parliament President Hans-Gert Poettering, have mooted a boycott of the Olympic Games opening ceremony, but others vowed to attend. French Foreign Minister President Nicolas Sarkozy refused this week to rule out shunning the opening gala. The European Parliament, a megaphone for public opinion which has no direct say over EU foreign policy, gave moral support to the Dalai Lama on Wednesday, inviting the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader to plead his cause from its rostrum. Several deputies criticised absent EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana for rushing to say after the first violence in Tibet that he would nonetheless go to the Beijing games. The official EU line so far has been to call for restraint and urge China to open a dialogue on cultural rights with the Dalai Lama, whom Beijing has accused of inciting the riots. But diplomats said ministers are likely to respond to public pressure to step up criticism of Beijing in an expected joint statement on Saturday. SEPARATE MEETINGS The Europeans are also divided over how to deal with a resurgent Russia, Friday's main theme, with business and energy interests again vying with concerns over human rights and Moscow's treatment of its ex-Soviet neighbours. Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel wants the ministers to agree on a common approach for the EU's first summit with President-elect Dmitry Medvedev in Siberia in June, the spokeswoman said. He also hopes to get negotiations launched by then on a new, broad EU-Russia strategic partnership agreement spanning trade, energy, human rights and political cooperation. Poland and Lithuania vetoed the start of talks in 2006 after Moscow banned imports of Polish meat and cut off oil supplies to a Lithuanian refinery that was sold to a Polish company rather than a Russian rival. The new Polish government has agreed to lift its objection after the embargo was ended, but Vilnius is holding out and has added the case of a missing businessman and "frozen conflicts" in Georgia and Moldova to the oil issue, diplomats say. The EU's difficulties in embracing the Western Balkans may be underlined on Saturday when the presidency has scheduled separate meetings with the Serbian foreign minister and representatives of other partners, including Kosovo. The ministers will have breakfast with Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic, but it is not clear whether he will also attend a session on closer ties with the region along with Croatia, Bosnia, Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Albania. By Paul Taylor, European Affairs Editor BRUSSELS, March 27 (Reuters) Source: (Additional reporting by David Brunnstrom, editing by Mark Trevelyan)

 

Lateline Interview with International Crisis Group with Australia's former Foreign Minister, Mr Gareth Evans discusses Kosovo's will for Independence, regional aspects as well as other matters concerning the globe. (17th.2.08) Australia's PM has announced his support for Kosovo.

 

Watching the News: Violence breaks out as 150,000 people took to the streets of the Serbian capital, burning fires and targeting Western icon buildings in the streets of Belgrade. It appears the Serb Government is not interested in calming the situation, Serbs are unhappy about Kosovo's desire for independence. The police are reported as slow to act. Listen to this mornings Breakfast direct report ABC NEWS | SBS NEWS - Friday 22nd February - Find latest video materials.