Latvia concludes formal procedure of recognition of Kosovo's independence

On 21 February, the acting German Charge d'Affaires in Pristina, Karl-Albrecht Wokalek, presented President Fatmir Sejdiu of Kosovo with the original notes of Germany, Latvia, Denmark, and Luxemburg on the recognition of Kosovo's independence.

The government of Latvia recognised the independence of Kosovo on 20 February, when the decision was announced by Maris Riekstins, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia.

As Latvia has no diplomatic representations in the Western Balkans, the Foreign Ministry made arrangements with its German colleagues on the delivery of Latvia's original note to Pristina and its submission to the Kosovan side.

In its note, the Foreign Ministry makes known that Latvia recognises Kosovo's independence on the basis of the obligations undertaken within the declaration of independence of 17 February to implement the plan by UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari, and on the basis of the conclusions of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council of 18 February. In the note, the Ministry also declares its readiness to establish diplomatic relations with Kosovo.

The EU conclusions emphasise that the EU supports the principles of the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act, inter alia the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity and all UN Security Council resolutions. In view of the conflict of the 1990s and the extended period of international administration, Kosovo is a sui generis case which does not call into question these principles and resolutions.  

The EU, NATO, and Latvia as a member state of these organisations are ready to take an active part in ensuring security and stability in Kosovo and in the whole of the Western Balkan region, both with military and especially civil support, by participating in the establishment of Kosovo's state administration institutions and the training of staff. Latvia plans to send eight representatives (from the Foreign Ministry, as well as from the State Police and the State Border Guard, which are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Interior) to take part in the EU Rule of Law mission in Kosovo, which will gradually succeed the current UN mission.

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