PRISTINA (Chinaview) -- Two American countries Colombia and Belize recognized Kosovo's independence, authorities in Pristina announced Thursday.

Colombia officially recognizes the Republic of Kosovo as a sovereign and independent state, said a statement from the Kosovo Foreign Affairs Ministry.
""This was confirmed to (Foreign) Minister (Skender) Hyseni from the Columbian Ambassador in the UN, Claudia Blum de Barberi,"" said the statement.
Meanwhile the office of Kosovo's President Fatmir Sejdiu has received a new recognition from the small Central American state of Belize.
""Belize government recognizes the independence of Kosovo as a sovereign and independent state and welcomes it as a new member in the international community,"" said the statement.
Despite recognition of Kosovo, Colombia claims it will continue to have good and traditional relations with Serbia.
Serbia, supported by Russia, fiercely opposes Kosovo's independence. In an open diplomatic battle, Pristina is lobbing for new recognitions, while Belgrade is doing the opposite.
The Serbian government is trying to limit the number of states recognizing Kosovo before the September session of UN General Assembly.
Serbia is seeking the support from the majority in the General Assembly to rule on the legality of Kosovo's independence in the International Court of Justice.
Colombia and Belize increases to 45 the number of countries recognizing Kosovo's independence, including Costa Rica, the United States, Peru and Canada from the American continent.