Albania, Germany, Austria, Norway recognize Kosovo’s secession
A number of European countries have followed Afghanistan and the United States in recognizing Kosovo’s unilateral secession.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Wednesday, February 20, 2008
The Albanian government in Tirana recognized the Albanian government in Pristina on Tuesday.
In Berlin, Chancellor Angela Merkel's government has recognized Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence on Wednesday.
Also on Wednesday came recognitions from Austria, Norway and Latvia.
Outside Europe, Costa Rica and Senegal have also recognized Kosovo.
The United States President George W. Bush on Tuesday called the unilateral declaration of Kosovo's independence a "historic step for Balkans", as State Department officials launched an extensive diplomacy to ensure the broad international recognition of province's self-proclaimed statehood.
"The independence of Kosovo is an historic step for the Balkans region," Bush said in Tanzania, saying that the move made by ethnic Albanians in Serbian breakaway province "presents an opportunity to move beyond the conflicts of the past and toward a future of freedom and stability and peace."
Bush also said that the post-declaration strategy has been carefully planned in Washington and Brussels, with the European Union and U.S. diplomats engaged in steady worldwide diplomacy in order to secure recognition.
