Lithuania became the 39th country to recognize the unilateral independence of the Serbian province, Kosovo, when the Lithuanian parliament recognized Kosovo’s unilateral secession and advised the government to launch official procedures to establish diplomatic relations with Pristina.

The Lithuanian Members of Parliament, who voted for recognition of the province’s unilateral independence, stated that “Lithuania will be together with the EU and, in so doing, promote the stabilization of the Balkans.”

The MPs that voted against the motion warned that Kosovo independence would provoke an escalation of regional tensions, and called it a precedent for the violation of the territorial integrity of sovereign states.

Valdas Adamkus, Lithuanian President had launched a parliamentary procedure to recognize the unilateral independence of the Serbian province.