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Montenegro in Kosovo recognition Kosovo receives recognition boost
(about 1 hour later)
Montenegro has formally recognised Kosovo as independent following its secession from Serbia in February. The governments of Montenegro and Macedonia have formally recognised Kosovo as independent following its secession from Serbia in February.
The move leaves Bosnia-Hercegovina as the only component republic of former Yugoslavia withholding recognition.
Serbia reacted angrily to Montenegro's decision saying it jeopardised regional stability, and announced it was expelling the Montenegrin ambassador.Serbia reacted angrily to Montenegro's decision saying it jeopardised regional stability, and announced it was expelling the Montenegrin ambassador.
Meanwhile, Macedonia's parliament has called on the government to recognise the independence of its neighbour. Nearly 50 countries have recognised Kosovo's independence so far.
It would leave Bosnia-Hercegovina as the only component republic of former Yugoslavia withholding recognition.
Nearly 50 countries, including the US and most of the EU, have recognised Kosovo's independence so far.
The BBC's Nick Thorpe in Pristina says that recognition by its neighbours brings both psychological and practical trading benefits for Kosovo.The BBC's Nick Thorpe in Pristina says that recognition by its neighbours brings both psychological and practical trading benefits for Kosovo.
The small country of only two million inhabitants, of which 90% are Albanian, has often appeared isolated in the western Balkans, our correspondent says.The small country of only two million inhabitants, of which 90% are Albanian, has often appeared isolated in the western Balkans, our correspondent says.
Earlier, Serbia said it was reinstating its ambassadors to the US and other Western nations that had angered it by recognising Kosovo's independence.Earlier, Serbia said it was reinstating its ambassadors to the US and other Western nations that had angered it by recognising Kosovo's independence.
Serbia recalled many of its ambassadors in February from countries that backed Kosovo's unilateral declaration - a move that Serbia has condemned as illegal.Serbia recalled many of its ambassadors in February from countries that backed Kosovo's unilateral declaration - a move that Serbia has condemned as illegal.
In a statement, the Serb government said the decision was made because of "continued diplomatic activity to preserve Serbia's territorial integrity and sovereignty".In a statement, the Serb government said the decision was made because of "continued diplomatic activity to preserve Serbia's territorial integrity and sovereignty".
Peace and stabilityPeace and stability
Serbian's Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic described the decision to eject Montenegro's ambassador from the country as "proportionate".Serbian's Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic described the decision to eject Montenegro's ambassador from the country as "proportionate".
He told the state news agency, Tanjug, that "regional countries have special responsibility in preserving peace and stability in the Balkans".He told the state news agency, Tanjug, that "regional countries have special responsibility in preserving peace and stability in the Balkans".
It comes amid a week of both defeats and victories for Kosovan diplomacy.It comes amid a week of both defeats and victories for Kosovan diplomacy.
On Wednesday, a substantial majority at the UN General Assembly agreed to allow Serbia to challenge the legality of Kosovan independence at the International Court of Justice.On Wednesday, a substantial majority at the UN General Assembly agreed to allow Serbia to challenge the legality of Kosovan independence at the International Court of Justice.
It followed an earlier announcement by Portugal that it had recognised Pristina.It followed an earlier announcement by Portugal that it had recognised Pristina.
Analysts say that Montenegro's move is likely to fuel tensions between the two Balkan nations that made up a single state until 2006.Analysts say that Montenegro's move is likely to fuel tensions between the two Balkan nations that made up a single state until 2006.
Montenegro emerged as a sovereign state after just over 55% of the population opted for independence in a referendum.Montenegro emerged as a sovereign state after just over 55% of the population opted for independence in a referendum.
It marked the end of the former Union of Serbia and Montenegro - itself created only three years earlier out of the remnant of the former Yugoslavia.It marked the end of the former Union of Serbia and Montenegro - itself created only three years earlier out of the remnant of the former Yugoslavia.