EU security: a multipolar Europe

Source: European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR)

The European Council on Foreign Relations has published a major report on European security architecture called ‘The spectre of a multipolar Europe’, written by Ivan Krastev and Mark Leonard, with Jana Kobzova, Dimitar Bechev and Andrew Wilson. The report argues that Europe is becoming increasingly multipolar, and in danger of lapsing into separate spheres of influence. It argues that the US is no longer willing to engage in Europe’s internal security, and instead, the main actors – the EU, Russia and Turkey – must come together in a trialogue to build a new European security architecture. Turkey’s EU accession process must also be strengthened alongside recognition of its recent emergence as a credible regional power.

UN International Court rules in favor of Kosovo

Source: Al Jazeera

Lives at risk at the UN

Source: European Council on Foreign Relations | By Richard Gowan*

Europe has always been seen as a human rights champion. It is viewed the world over as model for an open, democratic society, with its governments protecting rights as a given. But the EU is undeniably losing influence at the UN, and its ability to push the human rights debate on the world stage is dwindling with it. And as European power at the UN declines, human rights standards drop and lives are put at risk as the EU is outplayed in power politics.

IMF recognizes Kosovo and considers possible membership

by Andreas S. von Warburg

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is the first international institution to formally recognize Kosovo’s independence and to consider the application for admission to membership from the newly-formed Balkan nation, according to a statement by the Washington-based multilateral institution.

U.N. chief signals shift on Kosovo

Source: The Christian Science Monitor | By Robert Marquand

For 16 months, Russia and the West have been a bit eyeball-to-eyeball in the United Nations Security Council over the status of Kosovo. But to borrow Dean Rusk’s famous phrase during the 1963 Cuban missile crisis, it appears that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon has just blinked.

Serbia plans appeal to UN Court over Kosovo

By Andreas von Warburg

Serbia is planning to ask the International Court of Justice of the United Nations to assess the legality of Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence, according to Novosti, Russian news and information agency, quoting Serbia’s Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic.

Serbia asks U.N. for partitioning of Kosovo

Source: The International Herald Tribune | by Dan Bilefsky

Serbia proposed dividing newly independent Kosovo along ethnic lines on Monday, a move that was immediately rebuffed by Kosovo’s ethnic Albanian leadership in Pristina.

Kosovo searches the world for friends to back independence

Source: The Tiimes | by David Charter

Three neighbours of Serbia angered Belgrade yesterday by announcing that they would formally recognise Kosovo’s independence this week, helping to relieve nerves in Pristina at the slow pace of international support for the world’s newest country. Support from Bulgaria, Croatia and Hungary will bring the total number of states recognising the breakaway Serbian province to 33, far fewer than many in Kosovo had hoped for by this stage, more than a month after declaring self-rule.