Irish Govt moves to recognise Kosovan independence

The Irish Government has decided to recognise the Serbian province of Kosovo as an independent state.

The decision was taken last night in the wake of the declaration of independence by the region's ethnic Albanian majority on February 17.

The international community is still seriously divided on the issue.

The US, Britain and most EU member states have decided to recognise Kosovo as an independent country, but Serbia, Russia, Spain and many other nations are refusing to do so.

Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern is insisting that the Irish Government's recognition of the country is not an act of hostility toward Serbia, which regards Kosovo as its historic heartland.