Bulgaria, Hungary, Croatia to recognise Kosovo

Bulgaria, Hungary and Croatia will today become the first of Belgrade's neighbours to recognise Kosovo since it seceded from Serbia last month, according to a statement obtained by Reuters.

In the statement due to be made public later in the day, the three countries said their decision was based on "thorough consideration" and noted the importance of protecting the Serb minority in the overwhelming ethnic Albanian territory.

Diplomats said the triple recognition by neighbours would be a wake-up call to Serbia that European recognition of an independent Kosovo is not going to go away, as Belgrade has said it expects it to.

About 30 countries have recognised Kosovo so far. Neighbours Romania, Bosnia and Macedonia plus Balkan neighbour and traditional Serb ally Greece are not among them.

"The three countries express their interest in developing ties with a Serbia that maintains good relations with its neighbours, enjoys economic growth and keeps its European orientation," the statement said.

EU states Bulgaria and Hungary urged "the earliest possible signing" of a so-called Stabilization and Association Agreement between Serbia and the EU, that would be the first step on the road to ultimate membership of the bloc.