Hungary has recognized the newly independent Kosovo, Foreign Ministry state secretary Márta Fekszi Horváth announced on Wednesday. She said Hungary took the step in conjunction with Bulgaria and Croatia. Croatia initiated the establishment of diplomatic relations with Kosovo on Wednesday, while Bulgaria will do so today.

The cabinet has asked Foreign Minister Kinga Göncz to make a presentation to President László Sólyom on establishing diplomatic relations with Kosovo.

Hungary, Bulgaria and Croatia issued a joint statement stressing that "all three are interested in furthering relations with an economically developing Serbia that fosters good relations with its neighbors and maintains its European orientation."

Serb Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic, currently on a visit to Athens, said those countries that recognize Kosovo’s independence cannot count on good relations with Serbia.

Serbia sent diplomatic notes of protest to Hungary, Croatia and Bulgaria and recalled its ambassadors. The Serbian embassy expressed "deep disappointment" over the decision, saying it could adversely affect bilateral relations. Foreign Ministry undersecretary Gábor Szentiványi said in response that the ministry had hoped this would not happen, but was not surprised.

Serbia does not currently have an ambassador in Budapest, as the term of Predrag Cudic ended last month, and his successor, Dejan Sahovic, has not yet arrived, as Hungary's decision was expected, Népszabadság reports.

István Pásztor, president of the Voivodina Hungarian Alliance, asked the Serb government to guarantee the safety of all ethnic Hungarians in the province. Police were placed on alert in Hungarian-inhabited areas.

Fidesz's Mihály Balla urged the government to firmly assert the rights of ethnic Hungarians in Voivodina.