Minister in landmark Kosovo trip

Kosovo declared its independence in February this year

Tuesday, 09, Sep 2008 12:00

The government has announced that Shahid Malik is set to become the first UK minister to visit Kosovo since it declared independence earlier this year.

The minister for international development will visit Kosovo to underline Britain's backing for the world's newest country and establish business links.

Britain has already invested £23 million in the former United Nations-administered region, out of a total of £1.2 billion pledged following February's unilateral declaration of independence.

"I'm going to Kosovo to understand for myself how the government of Kosovo is taking on the challenge of building a prosperous new nation, heading towards European integration," Mr Malik said.

"Stability, prosperity, strong government and effective rule of law, for all communities in Kosovo, are what I want to see and what all Kosovans want to see. With support from the international community, and under the leadership of the government of Kosovo, this can be achieved."

Kosovo, which has a majority population of ethnic Albanians, was administered by the UN for almost a decade following the 1998-99 conflict with Yugoslavia.

Its independence has been recognised by the EU – excluding Spain and Portugal – and the US, but strongly opposed by Serbia and its strongest ally, Russia.