David Miliband

Foreign Secretary

FCO Logo
« Concert Diplomacy... | Main | Burma - Europe does... »
Friday 24 April, 2009

58 Recognise Kosovo

Saudi Arabia's landmark decision to recognise Kosovo is a major step forward. The leadership on this issue from one of the world's leading Muslim states should be an inspiration to others.

Posted at 14:48 24 April 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[13]

  • Share this with:
Comments:

That is very good. I am really proud of my country Saudi Arabia.

Posted by Al-Zahraa on April 24, 2009 at 04:52 PM BST #

It's a shame that Qatar isn't more forward thinking and let out the British people they have been holding there without charge for nearly 4 months! Instead of forcing them into a situation of having to rely on friendds to keep them and put their families in the UK into dire straights!!!

Posted by Amanda Noble on April 25, 2009 at 09:01 AM BST #

Kosovo and her people has gone through a lot and it is time for all of us to recognise them and welcome the new nation and not just stop there help them to build a decent democracy. It is nice to see countries start recognise Kosovo, well done Saudi, please now help them build.

Posted by Shan Mylvaganam on April 26, 2009 at 08:32 AM BST #

Saudi Arabia has one of the worst human rights records in the middle-east, and often exports it's own extreme form of Islam into muslim countries. The Taliban and mujahadeem of Afghanistan were largely financed by Saudi Arabia and backed by Britain and America. I have no doubt that if Saudi Arabian money and their intelligence services become more involved in Balkan politics then expect more trouble in that region.

Posted by stu on April 26, 2009 at 12:13 PM BST #

Well done Foreign Minister you've successfully dismantled the pro soviet Yugoslavja. I wonder who's next in line for divding up.. Russia? Sri Lanka? Sudan? Iraq? Pakistan? They are all ripe for picking.. P.S. Any progress on Israel? Or are we still in favour of them keeping the land they grabbed from the Palastinians?

Posted by Graham Lane on April 26, 2009 at 06:30 PM BST #

D.M I find it deplorable that you are quite happy to praise such states over barely insignificant news when the recent story re: the sheikh issa bin zayed al nahyan torture tape passes by without even a whimper by your office. Heaven forbid you upset them..ay?!

Posted by chris perry on April 27, 2009 at 06:28 PM BST #

I congratulate our foreign minister for his leadership and his courage. When are you going to recognise Tamil Eelam to end the ongoing genocide of Tamils in Srilanka ? We need the same leadership from you to lead the world on this. We need world without problems and war.

Posted by James Smith on April 27, 2009 at 08:57 PM BST #

first comment was marked as poss' spam 'cause of length so i've cut it in two. sorry but not about kosovo. Mohammad Sarwar and Khalid Mahmood are two non British, muslim MP's and are fighting to prevent the removal of the Pakistani students. they will be more than aware of the fact that not having enough evidence to secure a conviction does not mean that they are innocent. these are two people that are in the House of Commons to represent the citizens of this country and are tasked with the responsibility for the protection and defense of this nation state and it's citizens.

Posted by sarahsmith232 on April 28, 2009 at 08:31 AM BST #

they are instead using their position to fight for the rights of foreign citizens that represent a danger to this nation. this is not acceptable and it is even less acceptable that the higher ranking members of government should turn a blind eye to this. they need to be removed from their position of Members of Parliament. this can not be allowed to continue. during this decade there are two examples of if, next decade there will be 4/5. the next how many? will idealists only act when they look in danger of becoming a majority? this needs to be acted on now and cut out of the House of Commons.

Posted by sarahsmith232 on April 28, 2009 at 08:33 AM BST #

Dear Mr Milliband, Is there any landmark decision to recognise the Tamil Eelam for Tamils? It would help the Tamil people to live peacefully in their Homeland. They almost lost 76,000 lives so far by the SLG's systematic ethnic cleansing. Tamils are in the edge now and disappointed by the International community’s lack of action on SLG. Any plans to close down the SL High commission in London and remove SL from the Common wealth countries, as SLG is not listening to any one?

Posted by Oviya on April 28, 2009 at 08:56 AM BST #

Dear David, I do full agree with your statement that it is really important, that one of the leading Muslims-States at all recognises the Kosovo. I also hope that other Muslim- -States will follow. Therefore it is a big step forward. I also share the opinion of the 1st comment by Al-Zahraa and the especially the 3rd comment by Shan Mylvaganam. To conclude my comment I am quite sure that the Saudi-Arabian act on their own initiative will inspire other countries too. Best wishes, Ingo-Steven Wais

Posted by Ingo-Steven Wais on April 28, 2009 at 11:34 AM BST #

Saudi recognition of Kosovo consolidates its military and financial support for the Kosovo Liberation Army. Along with UAE, Saudi and Pakistani aid to Muslim Kosovo will increase. Will Kosovans be asked to become "good Muslims" now? And will British troops being killed daily in Afghanistan by the Taliban, a regime recognized only by Saudi, UAE and Pakistan in 1996, be grateful for this "recognition" of Kosovo?

Posted by Mike on April 28, 2009 at 11:43 PM BST #

You are celebrating these completely insignificant news and even say that the Saudi leadership should be "an inspiration to others"? I wonder if this also applies to the appalling state of human rights in KSA, is it also supposed to be "an inspiration to others"? An inspiration to the United Kingdom perhaps? Should we be led by their shining example of how to treat women, homosexuals, foreigners, political opponents etc.?

Posted by Josh on June 29, 2009 at 03:43 PM BST #

Post a Comment:
  • HTML Syntax: NOT allowed