Kosovo–Maldives relations
Encyclopedia
Kosovan–Maldivian relations are foreign relations between the Republic of Kosovo
and the Maldives
. Kosovo declared its independence
from Serbia
on 17 February 2008 and the Maldives recognised it on 19 February 2009. On the 16 April 2009, Kosovo
and the Maldives established diplomatic relations with one another.
asked police to investigate the allegations of a US$2 million bribe given to Maldivian government officials to recognise Kosovo as an independent state. On 17 March, People’s Majlis
National Security Committee launched probe in to Islamic Democratic Party
's allegations regarding the bribery. 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. Foreign Minister Ahmed Shaheed
was cross-examined by the parliamentary committee on 28 March. 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.
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.
Republic of Kosovo
Kosovo , officially the Republic of Kosovo is a partially recognised state and a disputed territory in the Balkans...
and the Maldives
Maldives
The Maldives , , officially Republic of Maldives , also referred to as the Maldive Islands, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean formed by a double chain of twenty-six atolls oriented north-south off India's Lakshadweep islands, between Minicoy Island and...
. Kosovo declared its 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...
from Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
on 17 February 2008 and the Maldives recognised it on 19 February 2009. On the 16 April 2009, 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...
and the Maldives established diplomatic relations with one another.
Bribery Accusations
On 7 March, the Maldivian President Mohamed NasheedMohamed Nasheed
Mohamed Nasheed is a Maldivian politician. He is the current President of the Maldives. He is the founder of the Maldivian Democratic Party and was its presidential candidate in the October 2008 presidential election, defeating long-time President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in a second round of voting...
asked police to investigate the allegations of a US$2 million bribe given to Maldivian government officials to recognise Kosovo as an independent state. On 17 March, People’s Majlis
Majlis of the Maldives
The Majlis of the Maldives or the People’s Majlis is the main legislature body of the Maldives. The Majlis has the authority to enact, amend and revise laws, except the constitution of the Maldives. Majlis is composed of 77 members...
National Security Committee launched probe in to Islamic Democratic Party
Islamic Democratic Party (Maldives)
The Islamic Democratic Party is an Islamist political party from the Maldives. On June 2, 2005, the country's 50 member parliament voted unanimously to allow and operate political parties in Maldives. IDP subsequently submitted its registration and was registered. IDP was officially granted...
's allegations regarding the bribery. Balkan Insight
Balkan Insight
Balkan Insight is a publication of the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network , that focusses on news, analysis, commentary and investigative reporting from southeast Europe...
reported that Kosovo businessman, Behgjet Pacolli
Behgjet Pacolli
Behgjet Isa Pacolli is a former President of the Republic of Kosovo, and is now First Deputy Prime Minister serving in the cabinet of Hashim Thaçi...
, who also heads the New Kosovo Alliance
New Kosovo Alliance
New Kosovo Alliance is a political party in Kosovo which is in the current coalition government made up by the PDK and AKR. The party was founded on 3 May 2006, by Behgjet Pacolli the founding owner of Mabetex,the Swiss based project engineering firm responsible for some of the most significant...
party, has denied any involvement in the bribery case and stated that he only lobbied for the recognition of Kosovo. Foreign Minister Ahmed Shaheed
Ahmed Shaheed
Ahmed Shaheed is a Maldivian politician. He served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from November 2008 to December 2010; previously, he had served as Minister of Foreign Affairs for two years, from 14 July 2005 until August 20, 2007....
was cross-examined by the parliamentary committee on 28 March. 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.
Maldivian support at the ICJ
The Maldives was absent at the 8 October 2008 United Nations General Assembly vote regarding a ICJ hearing on the legality of Kosovo's independence. The vote resulted in the ICJ giving its advisory opinion on Kosovo's independence, the outcome is expected in 2010. 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 ICJInternational Court of Justice
The International Court of Justice is the primary judicial organ of the United Nations. It is based in the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands...
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.