Kosovo–Sri Lanka relations

Kosovar–Sri Lankan relations
Map indicating locations of Kosovo and Sri Lanka

Kosovo

Sri Lanka

Kosovar–Sri Lankan relations are foreign relations between Kosovo and Sri Lanka. Formal diplomatic relations between two states are non-existent as Sri Lanka does not recognize Kosovo as a sovereign state.

History

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In February 2008, the Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka called Kosovo's declaration of independence a violation of the United Nations Charter and emphasised its concern that the act "could set an unmanageable precedent in the conduct of international relations, the established global order of sovereign States and could thus pose a grave threat to international peace and security".[1]

In a June 2009 meeting with Serbian president Boris Tadić, Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa re-affirmed his country's solidarity with Serbia and stated that Sri Lanka remained firmly opposed to Kosovo's independence as it threatened the international order. Rajapaksa said that there could be no right for countries to be formed by secession, which was in violation of the UN Charter and the principles of national sovereignty.[2]

In a September 2011 meeting with Kosovo's First deputy prime minister Behgjet Pacolli, Rajapaksa promised that Sri Lanka will continue to cooperate and expressed his willingness to continue contacts which would lead to the construction of interstate relations in the future.[3] In February 2013, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, D. M. Jayaratne, stated that the recognition of Kosovo by Sri Lanka will be reviewed.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Foreign Ministry Statement on the Unilateral Declaration of Independence by Kosovo". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka. 17 February 2008. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012.
  2. ^ Serbia appreciates Sri Lankan support on Kosovo issue Archived 19 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine, Government of Sri Lanka, 16 July 2009
  3. ^ Njoftim, Zyra e ZVKM PACOLLI Archived 3 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, 3 September 2011 (in Albanian)
  4. ^ Thaçi u takua me kryeministrin e Shri Lankës Archived 25 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine, Telegrafi.com, 23 February 2013 (in Albanian)