Protest against Kosovo's independence by Dirk-Jan Visser

Serbia immediately warned its three neighbours that their relations with Belgrade would suffer for joining the growing list of nations giving diplomatic support to Kosovo.

Bulgaria, Croatia and Hungary announced their move in a joint statement. "The decision on the recognition of Kosovo is based on thorough consideration," the three countries said.

Thirty-two countries including the latest three have now recognised Kosovo's independence, which the Serbian province's ethnic Albanian-dominated parliament unilaterally declared on February 17.