Expert to Montenegro: Recognize Kosovo

Montenegro should "follow most EU countries" and recognize an independent Kosovo, Judy Batt says. A similar message was also sent to Macedonia, another of Serbia's neighbors, Makfax news agency reports. Expert to Montenegro: Recognize Kosovo Batt, a British research fellow with the EU Institute for Security Studies, explained that this would be "in the interest of rapid stabilization of the region." Batt was also quoted as saying that "expected declaration of Kosovo independence is likely to be recognized by most EU member-states." "Kosovo's neighboring countries, such as Macedonia and Montenegro, should do the same," she was quoted by Podgorica-based daily Vijesti. "Macedonians should act hand in hand with the EU and the international community while making decision on recognition. I don't see any reason why Montenegro should differ in making such a decision," Batt said, according to the agency. As for the consequences of such moves by the authorities in Podgorica, considering a large Serb ethnic minority in that country, Batt said "it would depend on the response from pro-Serb politicians in Montenegro." "The EU also is divided on the issue, but it's not a catastrophe, as some members are still not ready to recognize Kosovo immediately, and one or two members are unlikely to do so in the near future," Batt told the newspaper.

Expert to Montenegro: Recognize Kosovo

Batt, a British research fellow with the EU Institute for Security Studies, explained that this would be "in the interest of rapid stabilization of the region."

Batt was also quoted as saying that "expected declaration of Kosovo independence is likely to be recognized by most EU member-states."

"Kosovo's neighboring countries, such as Macedonia and Montenegro, should do the same," she was quoted by Podgorica-based daily Vijesti.

"Macedonians should act hand in hand with the EU and the international community while making decision on recognition. I don't see any reason why Montenegro should differ in making such a decision," Batt said, according to the agency.

As for the consequences of such moves by the authorities in Podgorica, considering a large Serb ethnic minority in that country, Batt said "it would depend on the response from pro-Serb politicians in Montenegro."

"The EU also is divided on the issue, but it's not a catastrophe, as some members are still not ready to recognize Kosovo immediately, and one or two members are unlikely to do so in the near future," Batt told the newspaper.