The story

Germany will formally recognize Kosovo's independence and begin bilateral diplomatic relations, a spokesman for the German government said Wednesday.

German President Horst Koehler plans to send a letter Wednesday to Kosovo's president, making the recognition formally complete, spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm told a news conference.

Germany also will turn its liaison office in Kosovo into a full embassy, said Martin Jaeger, a spokesman for Germany's Foreign Ministry. Read full article »

Frederik Pleitgen, CNN Berlin Bureau Chief contributed to this report

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