Hours after Finland on Friday recognized Kosovo as an independent state, the Serbian ambassador to the Nordic country said she would return to Serbia in protest, according to dpa. President Tarja Halonen approved the decision to set up diplomatic ties with the breakaway Serb province following a recommendation from Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen's government. In a letter to the leaders of Kosovo after the decision, Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva said Finland emphasized its interest that Kosovo respect democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and the rights of all communities, and have good ties with its neighbours. Serbia recalled ambassadors to other countries that have recognized Kosovo, including Sweden earlier this week. Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt was due to visit Kosovo Saturday for talks with Prime Minister Hashim Thaci and President Fatmir Sejdiu in Pristina as well as officials from the United Nations administration (UNMIK) and European Union. Kosovo declared its independence February 17.
