Czech Republic recognizes Kosovo’s secession
The Czech government decided to recognize the independence of Kosovo, Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said on Wednesday -- a move the Czech opposition slammed as “betrayal”.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Thursday, May 22, 2008
"We must deal with the fact (that Kosovo declared its independence) and acknowledge it. Especially when we have more than 500 citizens in the area," Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg said, referring to the Czech troops deployed in Kosovo.
The Czech Republic will turn its liaison office in Pristina into the Czech embassy in Kosovo, the Foreign Ministry said.
According to diplomats, it is expected that office head Janina Hrebickova will become the new Czech Republic's ambassador to Kosovo.
Topolanek, Schwarzenberg and Deputy PM for EU Affairs Alexandr Vondra said previously Kosovo's separation from Serbia was a problematic, yet unavoidable step.
The Czech opposition fiercely criticized the move as "betrayal". Czech president Vaclav Klaus is also a long-term opponent of the move.
Prague has been under heavy pressure to recognize Kosovo, in particular after the government could not find a majority to recognize the secession in early April, ahead of the NATO summit.
