WASHINGTON - U.S. Vice President Joe Biden will visit Bosnia, Serbia and Kosovo during the week of May 18, focusing on a region that so far has not been high on the Obama administration's foreign policy agenda.

The vice president will meet with the political leadership in all three countries, as well as U.S. officials and military personnel stationed in the region, Biden's office said.

President Barack Obama's European strategy since taking office on January 20 has mostly concentrated on cementing ties with major allies and working to improve strained U.S. relations with Russia.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and is recognized by at least 58 countries including the United States and most EU member states.

Serbia, along with its ally Moscow, had protested against the Bush administration's recognition of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence last year.

Biden's office said further details of his Balkans trip would be released later.

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