(Adds quote, detail) BERLIN, Feb 20 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet agreed on Wednesday to formally recognise Kosovo as an independent republic, a government spokesman said. "The cabinet today agreed to the recognition of the Republic of Kosovo under international law and the start of diplomatic relations," government spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm said, confirming information earlier obtained by Reuters. German President Horst Koehler would formally communicate the decision to Kosovo in a written letter, he said. Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier had already announced on Monday that Berlin would recognise Kosovo. Serbia, which hopes to move closer to the EU, recalled its ambassadors to Washington, Paris and some other countries in protest at recognition of Kosovo announced on Monday by the United States and EU powers but insisted it would not cut ties. (Reporting by Noah Barkin; editing by Sami Aboudi)
A policeman walks past the damaged Slovenian embassy building after riots in Belgrade February 18, 2008. Kosovo Albanians declared independence on Sunday, confidently awaiting Western recognition for their state despite the ...
