Finland |
Kosovo |
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Finland–Kosovo relations are foreign relations between Finland and Kosovo. Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008 and Finland recognised it on 7 March 2008. [1] [2] Finland maintains an embassy in Pristina. [3]
In 1999, the President of Finland, Martti Ahtisaari, was reported as wanting to step up attempts to secure a peace agreement for Kosovo in his new role as a leading negotiator for the European Union. It was also reported that "Correspondents say that despite Mr Ahtisaari's support for air strikes, his position as president of a non- NATO country could make him palatable to Belgrade [Serbian Government]." [4] In 2007, United Nations envoy for Kosovo says independence was the "only viable option" for the territory of Kosovo. [5]
However, Ahtisaari's plan for peace failed [6] and he was unable to reconcile Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo and that "Serbians see him as a leading player in the break-up of their country." [7]
Following Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008, Kosovo Albanians living in Finland celebrated and expressed their gratitude to the Finnish Government and President Ahtisaari. [8]
As of 2009, Finland has 411 troops serving in Kosovo as peacekeepers in the NATO led Kosovo Force. [9]