Balkans
The Kosovo-case and its implications for the Caucasus
Monday, 06 September 2010 11:32
Uppsala | On the 22nd of July 2010, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) decided (http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/141/15987.pdf) over the question whether the unilateral declaration of indepence of Kosovo in February 2008 was in alliance with international law. Its conclusion was that there exist no prohibition in international law to declare independence, hence, the outcome of the advisory opinion was that the declaration of Kosovo could not be seen as a violation of international law.
Interview With Albin KURTI
Monday, 06 September 2010 11:32
Burak YALIM: Firstly can you tell me why you want to found Vetevendosje? That was public need and wishes or you and some activists had taken the role for found this movement?
Albin KURTI: VETËVENDOSJE! is a non-violent, voluntary, political movement for the establishment of a truly independent, sovereign and democratic Kosova on the basis of the right to self-determination. We are against the international rule over Kosova and against the obedience, incompetence and corruption of the local leadership.
Greece’s financial crisis likely to mar PM Erdoğan visit
Monday, 06 September 2010 11:32
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's visit to Greece this week could have helped create an era of great cooperation between the two Aegean neighbors, but instead a severe financial crisis that hit Greece is likely to undermine any chance of a major breakthrough, experts say.According to observers, the visit may still prove a major impetus for the development of bilateral relations but not an immediate boost in economic relations between the two countries, which came to the brink of war less than a decade ago. As the Turkish delegation feverishly prepares for the visit, the two countries want to settle disputed areas and discuss a range of issues of mutual interest.
The Titanic Syndrome in International Relations and the Albanian Question
Monday, 06 September 2010 11:32
The Titanic
Most people who have piloted a few boats can very easily prove the statement that the larger the boat is, the more difficult it is to change its direction. The same is true for virtually all things in the universe and it surely is true about nations and governments.Based on this analogy it is easy to state that the United States as a large and very powerful country encounters grave difficulty in switching lanes and changing policy. In the past this was repeatedly proven true and a perfect example for this was the Vietnam war.
In Dependence
Monday, 06 September 2010 11:32
The international presence in Kosova is international domination based upon the paradigm of stability. It ensures that the situation remains stable. Over five billion euros have been poured into Kosova in less than 10 years. Stability is such an expensive thing. To preserve the status quo more efforts are needed than for progress. Staying still requires more money than moving forward. But, what exactly is kept stable? The actual order, the present state of things. Stability is stability of a certain relation. Changes shall be co-opted: For every change, everything has to change a bit, so nothing really changes.
