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Sweden recognizes Kosovo, Finland also due

Other News Materials 4 March 2008 20:10 (UTC +04:00)

(dpa) - Serbia on Tuesday recalled its ambassador to Stockholm, a few hours after Sweden said it had decided to recognize Kosovo as an independent state.

Speaking on Swedish radio Tuesday afternoon, Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said he had been in contact with the ambassador who had informed him that he was heading back to Belgrade.

Earlier, Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt said Sweden would recognize Kosovo after a meeting of the royal advisory council on foreign affairs.

The premier and Bildt told reporters the decision was difficult and several considerations had been taken into account, noting that Kosovo remained under international supervision.

"It is a unique situation. It is the first time in almost a century that we have had to decide on a unique, new state on the European continent," Bildt said.

Neighbouring Finland was due to recognize Kosovo at the end of this week according to recent statements by President Tarja Halonen and Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen.

Norway and Denmark have earlier said they would recognize the breakaway Serb province that declared its independence February 17.

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