Ireland to recognise independent Kosovo

Ireland will recognise an independent Kosovo as the world’s newest country, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern declared today.

Dermot Ahern said Serbia lost the Balkan province through its own actions in the 1990s.

Celebrations are already under way in the Kosovan capital Pristina as it was poised to formally declare its independence.

Ahern, who held lengthy talks with all sides in the western Balkans last November, insisted the new state must be embraced.

“We are faced with a decision to recognise Kosovo. My intention is to do so,” he said.

“Serbia effectively lost Kosovo through its own actions in the 1990s.

“The bitter legacy of the killings of thousands of civilians in Kosovo and the ethnic cleansing of many more has effectively ruled out any restoration of Serbian dominion in Kosovo.”

The breakaway of Kosovo from Serbia is the latest stage in the slow fragmentation of the former Yugoslavia.

There are concerns its unilateral secession from the Serb Republic may spark tension in the region.

International peace-keeping troops are on stand-by to fly there in the event of violence breaking out.

But Minister Ahern said the status quo could not continue in Kosovo.

“It leaves Kosovo inherently unstable,” he said.

“We need to move on and deliver on a permanent settlement. I don’t think we can continue leaving matters as they are.”

He added: “Remember, more than 90% of the population wants independence. Any independence must ensure protecting the rights of the Serbian minority. ”