Kosovo–Maldives relations

Kosovan–Maldivian relations

Kosovo	Maldives

Kosovan–Maldivian relations are foreign relations between Kosovo^[a] and the Maldives. Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008 and the Maldives recognised it on 19 February 2009.^[1] On the 16 April 2009, Kosovo and the Maldives established diplomatic relations with one another.^[2]

Bribery Accusations

On 7 March, the Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed asked police to investigate the allegations of a US$2 million bribe given to Maldivian government officials to recognise Kosovo as an independent state.^[3] On 17 March, People’s Majlis National Security Committee launched probe into Islamic Democratic Party's allegations regarding the bribery.^[4] Balkan Insight reported that Kosovo businessman, Behgjet Pacolli, who also heads the New Kosovo Alliance party, has denied any involvement in the bribery case and stated that he only lobbied for the recognition of Kosovo.^[5] Foreign Minister Ahmed Shaheed was cross-examined by the parliamentary committee on 28 March.^[6] The police investigation was closed on 6 May 2009, concluding that there was no evidence of corruption and the diplomatic process was conducted according to international standards; the NSC investigation was suspended.^[7]

Maldivian support at the ICJ

The Maldives was absent at the 8 October 2008 United Nations General Assembly vote regarding an ICJ hearing on the legality of Kosovo's independence.^[8][9] On 21 April 2009, it was announced by the ICJ that the Maldives was one of the 36 UN member states to summit a written statement to the ICJ regarding the legality of Kosovo's unilaterally proclaimed independence. The Maldives written statement is in favour and supports the legality of Kosovo's independence from Serbia.^[10][11]

The ICJ ruled that Kosovo's declaration of independence was legal.^[12]

See also

• Foreign relations of Kosovo
• Foreign relations of the Maldives

Notes and references

Notes:

a.

^ Kosovo is the subject of a territorial dispute between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia. The Republic of Kosovo unilaterally declared independence on 17 February 2008, but Serbia continues to claim it as part of its own sovereign territory. The two governments began to normalise relations in 2013, as part of the Brussels Agreement. Kosovo has received recognition as an independent state from 110 out of 193 United Nations member states.

References:

1. "Maldives extends full diplomatic recognition to the Republic of Kosovo". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Maldives. 2009-02-19. Retrieved 2009-02-19.
2. "Kosova dhe Maldivet vendosin marrëdhënie diplomatike" (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 2009-04-16. Retrieved 2009-04-16.
3. President orders bribery investigation
4. Parliament launches bribery investigation
5. Majlis Committee launches probe into IDP allegations on Kosovo
6. Parliament cross-examines foreign minister
7. "No evidence of bribery in Kosovo investigation". Minivan News. 2009-05-06. Archived from the original on May 29, 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-24.
8. "Backing Request by Serbia, General Assembly Decides to Seek International Court of Justice Ruling on Legality of Kosovo's Independence". United Nations. 2008-10-08. Retrieved 2008-10-12.
9. ODS Team. "Ods Home Page" (PDF). Daccessdds.un.org. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
10. "Accordance with International Law of the Unilateral Declaration of Independence by the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government of Kosovo (Request for Advisory Opinion) - Filing of written statements and of a written contribution" (PDF). International Court of Justice. 2009-04-21. Retrieved 2009-04-23.
11. "35 countries to take part in ICJ case" b92.net 21 April 2009 Link accessed 27 July 2009
12. "Kosovo independence declaration deemed legal". Reuters. 22 July 2010. Retrieved 24 September 2012.