You may well be wondering how many countries have formally recognised the independence of Kosova (or Kosovo as HMG call it).

Here is what looks like a pretty comprehensive list.

Thus as of the end of May 2008 Kosovo's independence has been recognised by (only?) 42 out of 192 UN member states. But those states comprise 69.48% of global GDP!

China, India, Russia, Nigeria and Brazil have not recognised Kosovo's independence, so as well as a heavy majority of the world's states a heavy majority of the globe's population as represented by their governments are (as of now) either sitting on the fence or siding with the Serb view.

Which explains the heavy manoeuvring by some countries at the United Nations to block the EU from taking the lead role in Kosovo. 

The EU plans to move into and build up an independent new state. Many UN members insist that Kosovo's status is at best unclear, and want the existing UK presence there (UNMIK) to remain as a strong symbol of that point of view. 

A messy compromise may be emerging? But it is not a pretty sight.