Kosovo applies to join UNESCO, Serbia says it's not a state
Source: Yahoo! News / AP
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Kosovo said Friday it has applied for membership in the United Nations' scientific and cultural organization, a move immediately opposed by Serbia which argues that it's not qualified because it isn't a state.
Kosovo's Foreign Minister Hashim Thaci countered at a Security Council meeting that Kosovo is eligible to become a member of the U.N. Economic, Scientific and Cultural Organization before it becomes a U.N. member state — if UNESCO's executive board recommends it and two-thirds of its members approve.
Kosovo came under U.N. and NATO administration after a 1999 NATO-led air war halted a crackdown on ethnic Albanian separatists, but its final status was left in question. Its predominantly ethnic Albanian leadership declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and has been recognized by 111 countries.
Serbia rejects its secession, and its close ally Russia has blocked Kosovo from becoming a U.N. member.
Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/kosovo-applies-join-unesco-serbia-says-not-state-001604303.html
