Brussels: The European Commissioner Olli Rehn stated on May 29 that the issue of recognizing Kosovo is in the hands of EU member states. Rehn made the statement in response to some ministers’ claims that by raising the flag of a self-proclaimed “independent Kosovo,” the EP had recognized Kosovo as an independent state.

The European Commissioner emphasized that the European Commission “is working on the basis of joint decisions by the European Union” and “there is no authority to recognize any state,” as has already been done by certain EU member-states. He added, however, that the EP can act “at its own discretion” within its own structures.

The rapporteur for Serbia in the EP, Jelko Kacin, stated that the meeting between representatives of the EP and the Kosovo Assembly had indicated the recognition of an independent Kosovo, since the flag of an “independent Kosovo” was raised for the first time at this meeting.