Pristina  - The Kosovo government named on Thursday its first ten diplomats for postings to diplomatic missions in the West.

Diplomats, among whom are former journalists, professors, scientists, civil activists and presidential advisers, will represent Kosovo in the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Turkey, Austria, Switzerland and Albania.

The ten nominees will be at the level of "charge d'affaires" and not ambassadors.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in February and has been recognized by more than 40 countries, including the US and a majority of European Union countries.

"This is an extremely important time for Kosovo and a historical moment since we are assuming our responsibilities as an independent state," Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said in presenting the nominees. (dpa)