Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini expressed satisfaction with the peaceful atmosphere and broad participation in the first elections after independence.

Frattini expressed optimism that the second round will pass in the same spirit.

Frattini has also shown the hope that local elections in Kosovo would constitute a step towards stabilizing the Western Balkans.

Austrian diplomacy chief Michael Spindelegger, praised the  the first local elections since Kosovo became independent as "encouraging sign of the future for all Kosovars."

Performance and peaceful elections are an expression of democratic maturity, has added Austrian minister in a communique.

"Kosovo authorities themselves have organized these elections. Competent institutions, particularly the State Election Commission have done their excellent work" has commissioned the Austrian Foreign Minister.

He says he especially enjoys the fact that there appear a large number of Serb community have voted in the Republic of Kosovo local elections.