After his talks in Pristina, the British official said that Kosovo might gain independence if it showed enough democratic maturity.
The more democratic maturity Kosovo leaders show in the treatment of other communities, the better are prospects for Kosovo's independence, Sawers said.
"The comments are in line with what diplomats have been saying in private for months -- that a form of conditional independence for Serbia's southern province is almost certain, provided the Albanian majority makes concessions to minority Serbs and accepts some continued international supervision," the Reuters news agency reported.
On Tuesday, the Briton will hold talks with officials in Belgrade.