Kosovo–United Kingdom relations
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 Kosovo |
 United Kingdom |
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Kosovan–British relations are foreign relations between Kosovo[a] and the United Kingdom. When Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008, the United Kingdom became one of the first countries to announce the official recognition of a sovereign Kosovo on 18 February 2008.[1][2] The United Kingdom has had an embassy in Pristina since 5 March 2008.[3] Kosovo has had an embassy in London since 1 October 2008. The two countries have very good and friendly relations.
Military
The United Kingdom participated in the 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, which resulted in a UN administration of Kosovo. The United Kingdom currently has 84 troops serving in Kosovo as peacekeepers in the NATO led Kosovo Force. Originally there were 19,000 British troops in KFOR.[4] Mike Jackson was the first KFOR Commander from 12 June 1999 until 8 October 1999.
On 25 April 2008, the British Government announced that it would send a battle-group based on 2 Rifles, a light infantry battalion of about 600 soldiers, to help maintain public order to serve as Peacekeepers in EULEX, an EU Police, Civilian and Law Mission in Kosovo.[5]
Political
The United Kingdom was an important player in the events of 1999. The Kosovo War, which Prime Minister Tony Blair had advocated on moral grounds, was initially a failure when it relied solely on air strikes; he believed that the threat of a ground offensive, which Bill Clinton had initially ruled out, was necessary to convince Serbia's President Slobodan Milošević to withdraw. Blair ordered that 50,000 soldiers - most of the available British Army - should be made ready for action.[6] Blair has visited Kosovo on several occasions since; other British Ministers who have had ministerial responsibility for policy towards Kosovo, such as Dennis MacShane, have also maintained their connections.
Notes
| a. | ^ Template:Kosovo-note |
See also
References
- ^ "UK to recognise independent Kosovo - PM". United Kingdom Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street. 2008-02-18. Archived from the original on 2008-05-10. Retrieved 2008-05-09.
- ^ Nicholas Kulish and C. J. Chivers (2008-02-19). "Kosovo Is Recognized but Rebuked by Others". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-05-09.
- ^ "British Embassy in Pristina, Kosovo". Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Retrieved 2008-05-09.
- ^ "Kosovo Force (KFOR)" www.nato.int Link accessed 21-07-09
- ^ "New mission for British troops in Kosovo" guardian.co.uk 25 April Link Added 25 April 2008
- ^ Marr, Andrew; A History of Modern Britain (2008 printing); page 550
External links
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