Miliband: UK would recognise independent Kosovo

Miliband prepared to send more Nato troops to Kosovo

Monday, 10, Dec 2007 12:00

Britain could be prepared to recognise an independent Kosovo, the foreign secretary said today.

Speaking to reporters ahead of talks in Brussels, David Miliband said Britain would recognise Kosovo if it declared independence from Serbia but warned it was a "very complicated situation".

He urged restraint from all sides, including the Kosovar, who must "act in concert with the international community".

Mr Miliband said he would be willing to support the dispatch of more Nato peacekeepers if the declining security situation warranted it.

Speaking to the Today programme, Mr Miliband said: "We face a very stark choice. Why did we end up in the mid-1990s with the terrible tragedies of Bosnia? We ended up there because Europe stood on the sidelines wringing its hands and hoping something would turn up.

"The way to avoid that sort of bloodshed and strife is for European countries to take a lead."

The foreign secretary continued: "This is Europe's backyard. If we ignore the problem, we are not going to solve it. If we pretend there is only a military solution, we won't solve it. If we [deal] with political, economic, social and security issues, we can make a difference there, recognising the legitimate aspirations of Kosovars."

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