Malta today formally recognised Kosovo as an independent state, the 21st EU member state to do so, the Department of Information said. Kosovo used to form part of Serbia.

Foreign Minister Tonio Borg said Kosovo was being recognised because there was no other alternative for the region following the events of the past 10 years.

The minister has written to the the President of Kosovo Fatmir Sejdiu, and Prime Minister Hashim Thaci to inform them of the recognition.