Written question asked by Marquess of Lothian (Conservative) on Friday, 7 November 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 11 November 2008. It was answered by Caroline Flint (Labour) on Monday, 24 November 2008 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Kosovo

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what basis in international law the Government recognised the independence of Kosovo.

Answer: The normal criteria that we apply for recognition as a state remain as described in the written answer dated 16 November 1989, Official Report, column 494 by then Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Mr. Sainsbury. In reaching our decision to recognise, which my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary announced to the House in his statement of 19 February 2008, Official Report, column 21WS, we considered that Kosovo satisfied these criteria.

Secondary information