France And Kosovo

France and Kosovo
France has maintained with determination their effort in Kosovo, both civilian and military, in favour of democratization, of respect for the rights of minorities and of bringing Europe closer. The presence of France was felt within the UNMIK, as well as KFOR, with more than 2,000 soldiers in a contingent of 16,000, the second in terms of importance.
At the political level, asa member of the contact group, France continued his diplomatic efforts to achieve progress in Kosovo on the path of democratization and stability , especially through the establishment of future status. Martti Ahtisaari, the UN Special Envoy, has led the negotiations on the future status since February 2006. These have evolved through the organisation of 17 sessions of direct negotiations and 26missions of experts to both parties. The contact group met at each major stage of the negotiating process, particularly at the ministerial level in London, in January 2006, and in New York, in September 2006. Organized bilateral interviews with the main protagonists of Serbs and Kosovars, as well as with representatives of the UN: interviews with Martti Ahtisaari or his Deputy in February, may andOctober 2006 and January 2007; Rücker RSSGNU in January 2007 visit.
France expressed its support for the plan of the Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari, which should allow the establishment of a democratic and multi-ethnic Kosovo. Submissions manage to reconcile the aspirations of the majority of the kosovar people with the protection of the rights of minorities, in particular the Serb community,guaranteed by an international civilian and military presence in which France would fully participate.
The Minister of foreign and European Affairs, Mr Bernard Kouchner, discussed the proposals of the President of the Republic with Mr. Martti Ahtisaari on 18 June, and evoked with him the means to reach an agreement in the Security Council on a draft resolution that would pave the way for theimplementation of the plan of the Special Envoy.
The topic of the future of Kosovo occupied a central place in the interviews that the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European held in Belgrade and Kosovo on 12 and 13 July, when the process of establishment of the future status of Kosovo entered its first phase. The Minister sought to encourage both parties to become actively involved in the latestdiscussions proposed by the President of the Republic during the Summit of the G8 in Heiligendamm. These talks must be held in the coming months, should the Security Council adopt, as it is our desire, a favourable resolution.
On the other hand, Kosovo's European rapprochement and respect for European standards are also central to France themes. The increasingly important role of the European Unionin Kosovo should be realized through the implementation of an ESDP Mission in the areas of police, justice and customs.
 
 
 
In the following text we see as Bernard Kouchner, French politician, expresses its support and appreciation for the Declaration of independence of Kosovo.
Agreement between the European Union and Serbia on a draft resolution on Kosovo in the general Assembly of theUnited Nations (September 9, 2010)
Declaration of Bernard Kouchner
"I am delighted because Serbia and the European Union reached agreement on a draft resolution in the UN General Assembly on the opinion of the International Court of Justice today." On 22 July, the Court concluded that the Declaration of independence of Kosovo in February 2008 had not breached any rule of international law.
I calledthe Serbian President, Mr Tadic, to congratulate you on this agreement. I also express my appreciation to the High Representative of the European Union, Mrs Ashton, for the efforts that have led to this result. I was also in telephone contact with the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Mr Thaci.
This agreement opens the way to a dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina France has always encouraged. This...