Malta inexplicably refuses to recognise Kosovar independence

Malta inexplicably remains one of just seven EU member States that still refuses to recognise Kosovo’s self-declared independence, along with Spain, Cyprus, Portugal, Slovakia, Greece and Romania.

The reason why Malta has held fast to its position for so long is mystifying, with the foreign affairs ministry unable to produce replies to questions that have been asked by this newspaper as far back as the beginning of May.

The government’s unexplained stance on the issue jars strikingly with the outpour of humanitarian aid extended by the Maltese people during the Balkans War in the 1990s. Many Maltese will undoubtedly remember their donations for Kosovo, an Air Malta airlift organised by SOS Malta replete with humanitarian supplies and Maltese journalists. Maltese donations were also put towards a number of humanitarian projects in Kosovo including the management of a refugee camp and the repatriation of refugees during the 1999 Kosovo crisis.

While 20 of the EU’s 27 member States have managed to endorse Kosovo’s independence from Serbia since the declaration some five months ago, Malta, for reasons unknown, has hitherto held back.

Through its actions, Malta can be held partially responsible for preventing a unified stance from the EU on the issue of Kosovo’s independence, which would prove crucial for the long-suffering region.

In a statement issued just after the declaration of independence by the Kosovar parliament, Malta’s foreign minister at the time, Michael Frendo, said in a statement, “As to the recognition of independence, which is a separate issue left to the member States individually, Malta will make a decision at the opportune time.”

At the time Dr Frendo, who has since been replaced by Tonio Borg following the 8 March election and the ensuing Cabinet reshuffle, said Malta was examining all international developments before taking a decision and also expressed reluctance over possibly committing a new government to a decision that would have been taken in the lead-up to the general election.

Malta had previously opposed the recognition of an independent Kosovo without a resolution from the United Nations Security Council. Russia and China, both of which have veto powers at the Security Council, oppose Kosovar independence while the United States and the UK have already recognised the new State.

The stance of certain opposing member States, unlike that of Malta, could be easily deduced. Spain appears concerned about lending credence to its own separatist groups if it were to recognise Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence, while Portugal could very easily be supporting its neighbour.

Greece, which borders Macedonia and Albania, has strong ties with Serbia and most likely enjoys the support of Cyprus on the issue. Romania, meanwhile, shares an extensive border with Serbia while Slovakia could have similar regional concerns.

Malta, on the surface, appears to have no such political, cultural or regional ties to Serbia.

Serbia is also aiming to join the European Union and Kosovo’s independence is a fundamental prerequisite, and one of the last remaining obstacles to its accession. The country recently reinstated the ambassadors it had removed from EU States that had endorsed Kosovo’s independence. There is no Serbian embassy in Malta and diplomatic relations are carried out through Serbia’s Rome embassy.