Today's Date:

Dear President Sejdiu,

In your letter of 17 February, you informed France of the decision taken by the Kosovo Assembly on 17 February 2008 to declare the independence of Kosovo and commit itself to implementing in full the Status Settlement prepared by the United Nations Special Envoy, Martti Ahtisaari, including the provisions for the Serb community and call for an international presence to supervise implementation of this Settlement by Kosovo.

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the 27 European Union member States, taking note of this new reality, today confirmed the European commitment to Kosovo.

I have the honour to inform you that France, in full agreement with this European Union statement, and accepting the consequences of the resolution adopted by the Kosovo Assembly on 17 February 2008, now recognizes Kosovo as a sovereign independent State.

I propose that our two countries establish diplomatic relations. Pending the appointment of an ambassador, I propose to designate Mme Delphine Borione, previously head of our Liaison Office in Pristina, as Chargé d’Affaires a.i.

I am keen to see the new page thus opening between France and Kosovo lead our two countries to develop their relations not only at the political level, but also in the cultural, university and economic spheres.

I also take this opportunity to tell you again how important it is for France that Kosovo's independence contribute to the stability of the Western Balkans. I very much hope that the Settlement's provisions can be implemented swiftly and that Kosovo establishes good neighbourly relations with all her neighbours.