Germany recognizes Kosovo, draws anger

BERLIN, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Germany on Wednesday formally recognized Kosovo's independence, which prompted Serbia to recall its ambassador from Berlin.

"The Cabinet today agreed to the recognition of the Republic of Kosovo under international law and the start of diplomatic relations," government spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm said in a statement. The move will be formalized by a letter from Germany's President Horst Koehler to his Kosovar colleague Fatmir Sejdiu.

Germany has thus joined other major powers, such as the United States, France and Britain, in recognizing the independence of the former Serbian province.

Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said in Strasbourg that ambassadors from Germany and Austria will be recalled.

Kosovo is dominated by ethnic Albanians; for years Pristina has demanded independence from Serbia, and earlier from Yugoslavia. Kosovo has been administered by the United Nations with the help of NATO peacekeeping troops since 1999, when NATO bombing ended a bloody war between Serbian troops and Albanian rebels.

Belgrade, backed by Russia and China, is unwilling to accept Kosovo's independence, self-proclaimed by Kosovar leaders this past Sunday. It considers Kosovo the historical and spiritual cradle of the Serbian nation.