Republika Czeska wobec niepodległości Kosowa
The Czech Republic’s attitude toward Kosovo’s independence

Summary/Abstract: Recognition of Kosovo’s independence was the hot issue of political debate in the Czech Republic. In spite of the opposition party’s objection and President Václav Klaus’s resistance, the government of Mirek Topolánek decided to establish diplomatic relations with Kosovo. The decision was linked to the upcoming Czech Republic’s presidency in the European Union. The Czech wanted to show worldwide that they were ready to act upon the EU challenges and their foreign policy was in accordance with the EU foreign relations. It was not until the end of May 2008 that the Czech Republic recognized Kosovo as an independent state, which was 3 months after Kosovo’s independence had been declared and when most EU countries had already backed that idea. Long-running political dispute over Kosovo in the Czech Republic intensified the internal conflict, which eventually led to the collapse of Topolánek government in March 2009.

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