By KUNA
Paris : French President Nicolas Sarkozy has officially informed the President of Kosovo Fatmir Sejdiu of France’s decision to recognize the independence of the ethnically Albanian-dominated Kosovo, which made its declaration of independence on Sunday, official sources indicated Tuesday.
In a letter published late Monday night by Sarkozy’s office, the French leader said that he was acting in line with discussions at the European Union meeting of Foreign Ministers earlier Monday in Brussels, where the Kosovo issue was discussed.
The EU was split on whether to recognize the unilateral decision by Kosovo to declare independence despite resistance from its former ruling power, Serbia, and it major ally, Russia.
Seventeen EU nations were in favor of recognizing Kosovo, but ten were against.
But, Sarkozy said that he felt the Europeans had nonetheless “confirmed their engagement in Kosovo,” where thousands of EU peacekeepers are based and thousands of police and border guards are due to be deployed.
“I am honored to inform you that France, in full agreement with this European Union declaration, and taking into account the consequences of the resolution adopted by the Kosovo Assembly on February 17, 2008, now recognizes Kosovo as a sovereign and independent State,” Sarkozy said.
He urged that both sides set up diplomatic relations and proposed Delphine Borione as French Charges d’Affaires to Pristina, the Kosovo capital.
Sarkozy also expressed the wish to see all ties develop between the two countries and also to see Kosovo contribute to the stability of the Balkans’ region.