Poll : France made mistake with Kosovo
Poll : France made mistake with Kosovo
03 March 2008 Paris _ A majority of French people polled by an influential web portal say France made a mistake in backing Kosovo’s independence.
Out of the 3,167 visitors to the Expression-Publique portal, 46 percent criticised Kosovo’s secession from Serbia and 43 percent objected to France’s recognition of Kosovo’s independence.
On the other hand, 37 percent welcomed Kosovo’s recognition by French President Nicholas Sarkozy and Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, who previously headed the United Nations Mission in Kosovo.
France was a key supporter of Kosovo’s independence within the European Union and among the first EU countries to recognise the new state.
Kosovo declared independence on February 17 and has so far been recognised by almost all major EU countries, as well as by the United States.
Serbia, backed by its ally Russia opposes the move with Moscow saying it will block Kosovo’s bid to join the UN and other institutions where it has a say.
Several other countries have also voiced concern at Kosovo’s independence, including EU members such as Spain and Romania who have questioned the legality of the move and a potential domino effect in countries where different ethnic groups are pushing for greater autonomy.
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