Belgrade - Belgrade has expelled the Montenegrin ambassador and is set to take the same step in relations with Macedonia in reaction to the two countries' recognition of Kosovo, reports said Friday.

Podgorica and Skopje recognized Kosovo, a territory Serbia still claims as its province, Thursday night, some eight months after it unilaterally declared independence.

Though it was certain to strain ties with Serbia, a major trade and economic partner, Montenegro and Macedonia jointly said they "remain committed to further promotion of ... relations with Serbia."

Montenegrin ambassador, Anka Vojvodic, was immediately told she had 48 hours to leave. "It is not a clever and political move," Vojvodic was quoted as saying.

Montenegro and Macedonia brought the tally of countries that now recognize Kosovo to 50.

"The reason why we opted for this sharp measure ... is because the decision in Podgorica came a day after the vote in the UN," Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic told radio B92.

Belgrade has previously withdrawn for consultations its own ambassadors from countries that recognized Kosovo since it declared independence in February.

Hours before Montenegro and Macedonia recognized Kosovo, Serbian ambassadors previously pulled out were told to return to their posts "to continue the diplomatic effort to keep Kosovo Serbian.

Despite support from the world's richest countries, such as the United States, the majority of European Union nations and Japan, Kosovo's full-fledged promotion was blocked in the UN by Serbia's ally Russia. (dpa)