( Xinhua ) - Kosovo, which declared independence in February, established on Tuesday diplomatic relations with Slovenia at the level of embassies, the Kosovo government said in a statement.
Diplomatic relations were established in order to strengthen friendship and cooperation between the two countries on an equal footing, on the principles of mutual acknowledgment, respect of independence and territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs, said the statement.
The protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations was signed by Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci and Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel.
The Slovenian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Slovenia established on Tuesday diplomatic relations with Kosovo in a written statement exchanged by mail.
Slovenia is not yet considering the option of opening an embassy in Kosovo, according to the ministry.
Slovenia recognized Kosovo's independence on March 5, more than two weeks after Kosovo declared independence from Serbia on Feb. 17 this year. Kosovo has been formally recognized by 36 countries, of which Albania, Great Britain, Germany, Switzerland and the United States have opened their embassies in Pristina.