Netanyahu: Kosovo to become first Muslim-majority state to open Jerusalem embassy

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Friday that Kosovo will become the world's first Muslim-majority nation to open its Israel embassy in Jerusalem.

The announcement came shortly after US President Donald Trump unveiled a historic accord on economic ties between Kosovo and Serbia, which also included Kosovo recognizing Israel and Serbia relocating its embassy to Jerusalem.

During his meeting with Kosovo's Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti, Trump called Netanyahu to congratulate the two leaders on the decision to establish formal diplomatic ties, the Prime Minister's office said.

At the meeting, Hoti also announced that the country's diplomatic mission to Israel will be based in Jerusalem.

"As I said in recent days, the circle of peace and recognition of Israel is expanding and more countries are expected to join it," Netanyahu said.

Kosovo's parliament voted for its independence in 2008. It was recognized by some 114 states across the world, but Israel was not on that list as the nation did not recognize the Jewish state.

This is now set to change under a breakthrough deal between Serbia and Kosovo brokered by the United States.