PRISTINA (AFP) -- The Federated States of Micronesia, an island nation located in the Pacific Ocean, has recognized the independence of Kosovo, the Foreign Ministry here said in a statement Saturday.

""Micronesian ambassador to the UN Jeem Lippwe, informed Kosovo foreign minister Skender Hyseni that Micronesia recognized the Republic of Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state,"" the statement said.
More than 50 countries, including the U.S. and most European Union members, have already recognized Kosovo as an independent state following its unilateral secession from Serbia on February 17.
Serbia still considers Kosovo as one of its provinces and fiercely opposes its independence, although it has had no control over the territory since the end of 1998-1999 conflict when a U.N. mission took over the administration.