Germany, Pakistan and South Africa have clarified their stances regarding Kosovo's independence declaration.
The South African government regarded the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo "a serious challenge" to the international community, a South African official said on Tuesday.
The country, one of the 15 countries represented in the United Nations Security Council, remains reluctant to say whether it will recognize the highly controversial action taken by Kosovo on Sunday.
George Nene, an official with South Africa's foreign ministry, said in Pretoria that the Kosovo issue is the most divisive matter within the UN Security Council.
Its move to independence had "serious consequences for the international community," Nene said.
"There is no way that South Africa can consciously not want to take a position.... It is a question of time before the country takes a decision," the official said.
Nene said the country would continue to monitor the situation in Kosovo.
The Pakistani Foreign Office said in a statement on Tuesday that it understands and supports the legitimate aspirations of the Kosovars and the need for peace in Kosovo and the region.
Pakistan is watching the developments in Kosovo carefully, it said.
"We have noted the recognition extended by a number of important countries to the declaration of independence by the Kosovo Parliament and the statement made by the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Secretary General expressing happiness over this development, and solidarity and support with the Kosovars," the Foreign Office said.
It also called on the people in Kosovo and the region to remain calm and peaceful.
The German cabinet, as expected, decided Wednesday to recognize Kosovo as a sovereign state.
The resolution, passed by the cabinet, has to be signed by German President Horst Koehler before officially coming into effect.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has called on "all parties" to remain calm and restrained after Kosovo declared independence on Sunday.
Kosovo, the ethnic Albanian-dominated province which has been under United Nations administration since 1999, unilaterally declared independence from Serbia on Feb. 17.
Source: Xinhua
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