New Kosova Report

EU foreign ministers seek common line on Kosovo

Monday, 18 February 2008

EU foreign ministers seek common line on Kosovo

BRUSSELS - European Union foreign ministers held a crisis meeting Monday on Kosovo's split from Serbia amid signs of intense behind-the-scenes wrangling over recognition of the new state.

Germany delayed making a formal recognition of Kosovo, which it had been expected to make simultaneously with the U.K., France, Italy and the U.S. Monday.

"We will not take a decision today on recognizing Kosovo's independence," said German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin. She said Germany will wait for the E.U. meeting "to put in place a platform that will allow each member to take a position on the declaration of independence."

But the E.U. struggle for a common stance was made more difficult when Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos insisted his country, which fears Kosovo's break could inspire Basque separatists, wouldn't recognize Kosovo's independence.

Spain has led a number of E.U. nations - Cyprus, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, and Slovakia - reluctant to back Kosovo because of their own separatist or territorial integrity issues.

The E.U.'s Slovenian presidency said that many European nations are still set to recognize the new state.

"I understand that many E.U. member states will recognize" Kosovo, Slovenia's Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel said as he arrived for the Brussels meeting.

"Recognition is not a matter for the E.U. as a whole. It's member states who will decide," he added.

Most foreign ministers made cautious statements, stressing the need for calm in Kosovo and the Balkans and expressing the hope that a joint declaration could be agreed.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said he understood the hurt that Serbia felt at losing Kosovo, which Belgrade considers the cradle of its civilization.

"But I think there was no other solution, except perpetual confrontation," he told reporters.

He acknowledged the "different positions" among member states and that some were "faced with real difficulties inside their own borders".

U.K. Foreign Secretary David Miliband, when asked about recognition, said it was "important that we take this in steps," adding "obviously we have to digest the announcement yesterday."

The E.U. has launched its 2,000 strong justice mission to Kosovo.

It will become fully operational after a 120-day transition period and will essentially train and mentor police, judges and customs officials.

Diplomats said the main task of the Brussels meeting was to come up with a joint declaration which everyone can put their name to.

"The issue at the core is the degree of recognition that can be made," a diplomatic source told AFP.

Recognition "is indeed in the competencies of the European Union member states," said European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, also attending the talks.

"The European Union will not take a decision as such but it will of course hold a responsible debate on the matter today. Then it will be up to the individual E.U. member states to decide on the matter of recognition."

Kosovo has been administered by the U.N. since 1999, after the North Atlantic Treaty Organization bombed Belgrade to end a bloody crackdown on Albanian separatists, but the province officially remained part of Serbia.