Mobile UPI  |   About UPI  |   UPI en Español  |   UPI Arabic  |   UPIU  |   My Account
Search:
Go

Serb neighbors recognize Kosovo

|
|
 
  
Published: March. 19, 2008 at 10:44 AM

PRISTINA, Kosovo, March 19 (UPI) -- Serbian neighbors, Croatia, Bulgaria and Hungary, said in a statement Wednesday they will recognize Kosovo's independence.

Croatia becomes the second former republic of Yugoslavia to recognize Kosovo formally, following Slovenia's lead. Croatia declared its own independence in 1991, leading to a four-year conflict with the former Yugoslavia.

The joint statement said the decision was "based on thorough consideration" and sentiments from European Union leaders, the BBC said Wednesday.

Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic warned states against recognizing Kosovo, which Belgrade calls "an illegal state."

"I call on states, particularly those of the region, not to take this step. Do not injure our country's territorial integrity and sovereignty," Jeremic said.

Most EU states formally recognized Kosovo as an independent state, though Cyprus, Slovakia, Spain and Romania have so far refused to do so.

Kosovo issued a unilateral declaration of independence, seceding from Serbia Feb. 17 following failed negotiations.

Topics: Vuk Jeremic
Recommended Stories
© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints
  
Join the conversation
Most Popular Collections
The Tibetan Moniam Festival in China Super Bowl XLVI ticker tape victory parade The making of the Oscars
The Chicago Auto Show The Most Desirable Women of 2012 Tu Bishvat Migron settlement
Additional Top News Stories
1 of 25
Meryl Streep and Colin Firth attend the "BAFTA" ceremony in London
View Caption
fark
High school coach retires at 65 after getting arrested nude, "aroused" in car backseat with 17-year-old...
Man arrested for stealing $25k worth of Tide detergent. Witnesses say the suspect appeared quite...
News: Two cars fighting gun battle on Interstate accidentally fire into car of innocent women. Fark:...
Dads, before showing "The Smurfs" DVD from your laptop at your kid's birthday party, make sure you...
It's a Jeep thing. You wouldn't understand
Baby shower ends with three people stabbed after a drunken argument between relatives of mom-to-be...