Bangladesh recognizes Kosovo independence

By Sorwar Alam

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - The Bangladeshi government on Monday recognized the independence of the southeastern European state of Kosovo, according to official media reports.

In a cabinet meeting on Monday, the country approved its foreign ministry proposal for the recognition of the Republic of Kosovo as an independent country, reported the country’s national news agency, the Bangladesh Shangbad Sangshta (BSS).

"The cabinet gave its nod to the proposal for recognizing Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state," the BSS cited Cabinet Secretary M. Shafiul Alam as saying.

He noted that Bangladesh would be the 114th country to recognize Kosovo following its declaration of independence from Serbia on 17 Feb. 2008.

The former Serbian province of nearly 1.8 million people is recognized by over 100 countries, including the U.S., Britain, France, Germany and Turkey.

Russia and China are among the other countries which have not yet recognized Kosovo’s independence.