Pristina - Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said Thursday that his country has become a member of the World Bank.

"We have received the confirmation from the World Bank's Board of Directors that the World Bank has approved a resolution for Kosovo's membership to this organization," Thaci told reporters in Pristina.

With membership in the World Bank, Kosovo will be eligible for loans. Kosovo last month became the member of the International Monetary Fund.

"Membership in the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund will open new possibilities for general advancement and will ease dealing with global financial crisis," Belgrade media quoted Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu as saying.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in February 2008 and has been recognized by some 60 countries including most of the European Union and United States.

Serbia, backed by Russia, bitterly opposes it and has tried blocking Kosovo's entry in international institutions.(dpa)