THE United States opened an embassy in Kosovo on Tuesday, upgrading its existing liaison office in the capital Pristina.

The decision by the United States follows Albania, the United Kingdom, Germany and Switzerland in opening embassies in Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia on Feb. 17 and has so far been recognized by 38 countries.

Opening the embassy “reflects the new phase in our development and underscores our deep and lasting commitment to work for the progress of Kosovo and all of its people,” said Tina Kaidanow, head of the liaison office.

Kaidanow said the opening of the embassy had been officially approved by the U.S. Congress.

The United States was one of the first countries to recognize Kosovo’s independence and the first country to open its office in Kosovo in the 1990s.

Serbia and its traditional ally Russia have strongly rejected Kosovo’s declaration of independence, labeling it a violation of international law.

(SD-Xinhua)