Macinka: We could have acted more cautiously regarding the recognition of Kosovo; the Czech government yielded to pressure

The Czech Foreign Minister, Petr Macinka, stated in Prague, following talks with Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić, that the Czech Republic recognized Kosovo’s independence nearly 20 years ago under certain pressure, but that it will not now engage in any theatrical gestures, adding that the best solution for all would be one agreed upon by Serbs and Albanians.

As the main figures responsible for the then conservative Czech government of Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek recognizing Kosovo’s independence—despite strong opposition from then President Václav Klaus—Macinka today pointed to then Foreign Minister Prince Karel Schwarzenberg and former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
“I believe that the government at the time yielded to certain pressures, perhaps also to certain connections that Schwarzenberg had with Madeleine Albright, who had significant interests in Kosovo. The government could have acted more cautiously then, but we do not wish to give this any new momentum now; we do not want to make theatrical or sudden moves,” Macinka said.
The Czech minister stated that he believes the Kosovo issue should be resolved through compromise and appealed to official Belgrade not to listen to “wise” advice from outside, noting that if the Czechs and Slovaks had listened to foreign advisers during the breakup of their state, they would never have parted in such a friendly manner.
“The best solution is always the one that the two sides reach on their own,” Macinka said, emphasizing that in his talks with Đurić he merely reaffirmed that the Czech Republic—and he personally—understand and take into account the arguments of the Serbian side in the dispute over Kosovo.