"We have always stressed that Kosovo has special characteristics.

"That it is sui generis and it cannot be used as a precedent for other conflict zones, areas or regions,” he said. He did not comment on Russia’s recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, but said that Kosovo was “on the side of great world powers” on that issue.

Sejdiu rejected the possibility of negative implications of Russia’s recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia on the process of international recognition of Kosovo independence.

“I believe that this tempo of recognitions will go on,” Sejdiu predicted.

The Serbian Foreign Ministry announced yesterday that Serbia respected international law and that it respected the sovereignty and territorial integrity of internationally recognized countries—especially Serbia.

The ministry said that it was concerned about the events in the Caucasus. It pointed out that Serbian officials had kept warning that Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence, as well as the recognition of that illegal act, could have the character of a precedent and destabilize other regions, a statement read.