Finland recognizes Kosovo

HELSINKI, Finland, March 7 (UPI) -- Finland became the 27th country Friday to recognize Kosovo, three weeks after the region unilaterally declared independence from Serbia.

The Serbian embassy in Helsinki announced in late afternoon that Ambassador Vera Mavric would return to Belgrade, Newsroom Finland reported. Serbia has recalled its ambassadors from other countries that have recognized Kosovo.

The Finnish recognition was hardly a surprise. Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva said immediately after Kosovo's declaration that Finland would probably recognize the new country, and President Tarja Halonen and the cabinet agreed to do so a week ago.