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| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| Kosovo receives recognition boost | Kosovo receives recognition boost |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| The governments of Montenegro and Macedonia have 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. |
| It means that, apart from Serbia, only Bosnia-Hercegovina among ex-Yugoslav republics has yet to recognise Kosovo. | It means that, apart from Serbia, only Bosnia-Hercegovina among ex-Yugoslav republics has yet to recognise Kosovo. |
| Serbia reacted angrily, expelling the Montenegrin and Macedonian ambassadors and saying their countries had jeopardised regional stability. | |
| About 50 countries have recognised Kosovo's independence so far. | About 50 countries have recognised Kosovo's independence so far. |
| But more than 140 have not. | But more than 140 have not. |
| Macedonia's Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki said his government approved the move after parliament adopted a resolution by an overwhelming majority to make the recommendation. | Macedonia's Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki said his government approved the move after parliament adopted a resolution by an overwhelming majority to make the recommendation. |
| Montenegro and Serbia made up a single state until a referendum in 2006. | Montenegro and Serbia made up a single state until a referendum in 2006. |
| Montenegro hopes to become a future member of the EU and Nato; its foreign minister said the decision was guided by his county's national interests and that an independent Kosovo was a reality. | Montenegro hopes to become a future member of the EU and Nato; its foreign minister said the decision was guided by his county's national interests and that an independent Kosovo was a reality. |
| 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. |
| Peace and stability | Peace 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". |
| 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". |
| 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. |