Czech Republic prime minister Mirek Topolanek told journalists that his country had decided to recognise Kosovo as independent and to establish diplomatic relations.

Czech website ceskenoviny said that the question of Kosovo's independence, unilaterally declared on February 17 2008, had divided the Czech political scene into two camps.

"The leftist opposition - the Social Democrats (CSSD) and the Communists (KSCM) - oppose it. Some junior ruling Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL), some Civic Democratic Party (ODS) ministers, and President Vaclav Klaus had reservations about the step. The Communists even submitted a proposal under which the Czech Republic should state that it does not recognise Kosovo's independence and considers it a violation of international law," the website said.

Quoting a Czech foreign ministry statement, the International Herald Tribune said that the Czech government believed that recognition of Kosovo would help stabilise the region.

Topolanek, foreign minister Karel Schwarzenberg and deputy prime minister for EU affairs Alexandr Vondra said previously that Kosovo's separation from Serbia was a problematic, yet unavoidable step.

According to the website kosovothanksyou.com, the decision by the Czech Republic means that Kosovo has been formally recognised as independent by 41 of 192 United Nations member states, three out five permanent members of the UN security council and 20 out of 27 European Union member states. EU member states against recognition of Kosovo's independence include Spain, Greece, Romania and Slovakia.