(dpa) - Finland on Friday recognized Kosovo as an independent state, following similar moves by its Nordic neighbours.
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.
The foreign minister of neighbouring Sweden, Carl Bildt, was Saturday due to visit Kosovo for talks with Prime Minister Hashim Thaci and President Fatmir Sejdiu in Pristina as well as officials from the UN administration (UNMIK) and European Union.
Kosovo declared its independence February 17.