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Czechs in no hurry to recognize independent Kosovo

Other News Materials 18 February 2008 20:29 (UTC +04:00)

(dpa) - The Czech Republic does not plan to be a part of the first wave of countries to recognize an independent Kosovo, Czech Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Alexandr Vondra told public broadcaster Czech Television Monday.

"It is not a matter of a day. It is rather a matter of weeks," he said speaking from the gathering of European Union's foreign ministers in Brussels.

Unlike Slovakia or Spain, the Czech Republic had not been an outspoken critic of Kosovo's intention to unilaterally declare independence from Serbia.

However, Prague is far from enthusiastic. "It is not something that would make us jump with excitement," Vondra said.

President Vaclav Klaus warned that the declaration of independence could have a domino effect. "Parts of other countries can suddenly come to a conclusion that they are dissatisfied," he said in a television interview Sunday.

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