International Steering Group for Kosovo
Encyclopedia
The International Steering Group for Kosovo (ISG) is an organization formed pursuant to the Ahtisaari Plan
concerning the Kosovo status process. It is set up to guide Kosovo
's democratic development and promote good governance
, multi-ethnicity and the rule of law.
The group is responsible for appointing and overseeing the European Union Special Representative
for Kosovo (EUSR), themselves appointed by the Council of the European Union
, as the International Civilian Representative for Kosovo
(ICR). The ICR is the "final authority in Kosovo regarding interpretation" of the Plan and has the "ability to annul decisions or laws adopted by Kosovo authorities and sanction and remove public officials whose actions he/she determines to be inconsistent" with the Plan. The first ICR and EUSR in Kosovo appointed was Pieter Feith
.
The 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence
formally "accept[ed] fully the obligations" of the Ahtisaari Plan. It had its inaugural meeting on Thursday February 28, 2008. The group has been declared "illegal" by Serbia and condemned by Russia. The ISG holds that "one of the criteria for becoming member of ISG is recognition [of Kosovo’s independence]."
originally defined the ISG as composed of:
The ISG holds that "one of the criteria for becoming member of ISG is recognition [of Kosovo’s independence]." The Group is currently composed of 20 EU member states and five non-EU countries, all except Malta
and Portugal
that recognise Kosovo's declaration of independence
.
(joined 30 June 2008) (joined 30 June 2008) (joined 30 June 2008)
Ahtisaari Plan
The Ahtisaari Plan, formally the Comprehensive Proposal for the Kosovo Status Settlement , is a status settlement proposal covering a wide range of issues related to the Kosovo status process for kosovo....
concerning the Kosovo status process. It is set up to guide Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
's democratic development and promote good governance
Good governance
Good governance is an indeterminate term used in development literature to describe how public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources in order to guarantee the realization of human rights. Governance describes "the process of decision-making and the process by which...
, multi-ethnicity and the rule of law.
The group is responsible for appointing and overseeing the European Union Special Representative
European Union Special Representative
The European Union Special Representatives are emissaries of the European Union with specific tasks abroad. While the EU's ambassadors are responsible for affairs with a single country, Special Representatives tackle specific issues, conflict areas or regions of countries...
for Kosovo (EUSR), themselves appointed by the Council of the European Union
Council of the European Union
The Council of the European Union is the institution in the legislature of the European Union representing the executives of member states, the other legislative body being the European Parliament. The Council is composed of twenty-seven national ministers...
, as the International Civilian Representative for Kosovo
International Civilian Representative for Kosovo
The International Civilian Representative for Kosovo , supported by the International Civilian Office , is the European Union Special Representative for Kosovo appointed by the Council of the European Union which is re-appointed by the International Steering Group for Kosovo as the ICR pursuant to...
(ICR). The ICR is the "final authority in Kosovo regarding interpretation" of the Plan and has the "ability to annul decisions or laws adopted by Kosovo authorities and sanction and remove public officials whose actions he/she determines to be inconsistent" with the Plan. The first ICR and EUSR in Kosovo appointed was Pieter Feith
Pieter Feith
Pieter Cornelis Feith is a Dutch diplomat, formerly serving as the European Union Special Representative and still as the International Civilian Representative in Kosovo.- About :...
.
The 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence
2008 Kosovo declaration of independence
The 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence was adopted on 17 February 2008 by individual members of the Assembly of Kosovo acting in personal capacity and not binding to the Assembly itself...
formally "accept[ed] fully the obligations" of the Ahtisaari Plan. It had its inaugural meeting on Thursday February 28, 2008. The group has been declared "illegal" by Serbia and condemned by Russia. The ISG holds that "one of the criteria for becoming member of ISG is recognition [of Kosovo’s independence]."
Members
The draft Ahtisaari PlanAhtisaari Plan
The Ahtisaari Plan, formally the Comprehensive Proposal for the Kosovo Status Settlement , is a status settlement proposal covering a wide range of issues related to the Kosovo status process for kosovo....
originally defined the ISG as composed of:
- European Comission
- NATO
The ISG holds that "one of the criteria for becoming member of ISG is recognition [of Kosovo’s independence]." The Group is currently composed of 20 EU member states and five non-EU countries, all except Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
and Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
that recognise Kosovo's declaration of independence
2008 Kosovo declaration of independence
The 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence was adopted on 17 February 2008 by individual members of the Assembly of Kosovo acting in personal capacity and not binding to the Assembly itself...
.
(joined 30 June 2008) (joined 30 June 2008) (joined 30 June 2008)
See also
- Kosovo status process
- European Union Rule of Law Mission in KosovoEuropean Union Rule of Law Mission in KosovoThe European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo, EULEX Kosovo, is a deployment of European Union police and civilian resources to Kosovo...
(EULEX) - Peace Implementation CouncilPeace Implementation CouncilThe Peace Implementation Council is an international body charged with implementing the Dayton Peace Agreement for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Council was established at an implementation conference held in London, United Kingdom on December 8 and 9, 1995, subsequent to the completion of the...
External links
- First meeting of International Steering Group for Kosovo held in Vienna International Herald TribuneInternational Herald TribuneThe International Herald Tribune is a widely read English language international newspaper. It combines the resources of its own correspondents with those of The New York Times and is printed at 38 sites throughout the world, for sale in more than 160 countries and territories...
- Int'l Steering Group on Kosovo holds 1st meeting in Vienna BreitbartBreitbartBreitbart is a surname, and may refer to:* Andrew Breitbart, U.S. web publisher and news commentator* William Breitbart, American psychiatrist* Zishe Breitbart , Polish-Jewish circus strongman...