BELGRADE, March 5 (RIA Novosti) - Serb's foreign minister left for New York on Wednesday to urge the UN to convene a special meeting to discuss Kosovo's independence, the country's Foreign Ministry said.

"Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic is counting on the strong support of Russia, which took over the UN Security Council presidency in March, and urges the continuation of talks on Kosovo's status," the ministry said in a statement.

In New York, the Serbian foreign minister is expected to meet with representatives of the UN Security Council member-states, as well as the countries refusing to recognize Kosovo - China, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Mexico, Argentina and Chile.

The UN Security Council's previous session, which was held shortly after Kosovo declared independence on February 17, ended without agreement on a resolution or joint statement regarding the Albanian-dominated region.

Belgrade, which considers Kosovo its historical heartland, and recalled its ambassadors from countries recognizing independence, said it will never accept Kosovo's sovereignty. Russia said it will block any move by Kosovo to join the United Nations.

So far, a total of 25 states, including the United States, Australia, Japan and major European countries, have formally recognized the Republic of Kosovo with at least four others declaring their plans to do so later.