Slovenia Recognises Kosovo, Croatia Next

Slovenia Recognises Kosovo, Croatia Next
Less than half an hour ago the Slovene parliament voted 57 votes pro and four votes con, recognising Kosovo’s independence.

Nataša Zečević

Lajla Mlinarić

After a day-long discussion at the Slovene parliament, Slovene MPs raised their hands in recognition of Kosovo some half an hour ago. The recognition of the former Serbian province was endorsed by 57 MPs, while only four MPs voted against, Slovenia’s Delo daily reported.

Interestingly enough, MPs of the SNS headed by Zmago Jelincic, known in Croatia for his controversial stands in which he laid claim to Croatian terriroty, were against Kosovo’s recognition. Jelincic explained why he was against Slovenia recognising Kosovo by stating that “Slovenia had stabbed Serbia in the back” with this move.

- This is one of Slovenia’s biggest mistakes. We will have no use of the recognition, only economic losses – Jelincic said.

At the same time, Slovene Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel today in parliament rationalised that Slovenia’s recognition of Kosovo had nothing to do with alleged American pressures.