The government of Montenegro has announced Friday that it has established diplomatic relations with Kosovo.

The government statement says the ties were established through the exchange letters of the Foreign Ministers of the two countries.

The exchange of ambassadors, however, has been put off until the two sides settle the issue with the recognition of a Montenegrin minority in Kosovo. Montenegro demands the recognition of such a minority with an official status, representation in the parliament, and certain education and cultural rights.

Montenegro’s recognition of Kosovo is expected to infuriate Serbia which still maintains the position that its former province should be integral part of it. It has disputed Kosovo’s declaration of independence at the International Court in the Hague, and has called upon other countries to postpone the establishing of relations with Kosovo until the ruling of the highest judicial institution of the UN is clear.

Montenegro officially recognized Kosovo’s independence in October 2008. Kosovo broke off from Serbia in February 2008.

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