EU fears split over Kosovo
24.07.2007 - 09:28 CET | By Renata Goldirova
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - As Belgrade and Pristina are heading for last resort
negotiations on the future of Serbia's breakaway province of Kosovo, the
European Union is set to maintain its fragile unity over the issue, amid
clear signs it could become as divisive as Iraq did in 2003.
EU foreign ministers - meeting in Brussels on Monday (23 July) - urged both,
Serbs and Kosovars, to play a constructive role in the upcoming 120-day
talks, designed to break the deadlock at the UN Security Council.
"We still have a chance to work on the basis of effective and responsible
multilateralism. We want to save multilateralism", EU enlargement
commissioner Olli Rehn said.
The bloc has "lamented" the failure of the UN Security Council last Friday
(20 July) to adopt a resolution in the face of Russia's veto threat citing
"the principle of [Serbia's] territorial integrity".
"We are not happy about what happened in New York", Portuguese foreign
minister Luis Amado said, with Mr Rehn adding he finds it "regrettable".
The issue is to fall into hands of either the six-national contact group -
consisting of the US, Russia, the UK, Germany, France and Italy - or of the
so-called international troika.
The trio, suggested by Germany's foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier as
an "efficient international roof" for tough negotiations, would include a
representative from the US, Russia and the EU.
Unilateral independence - worst case scenario
But the main concern centres around what happens if the new round of talks
will fail to see a mutual agreement between Belgrade and Pristina and if
inpatient Kosovo chooses to act alone.
Last Friday (20 July), Kosovo's leader Agim Ceku suggested unilaterally
declaring independence in November, although later played down his comments,
underlining Kosovo remains close partners of both the US and the EU in
bringing the independence process to a close.
EU diplomats admit that any unilateral move would split the 27-nation bloc
just like the US led invasion of Iraq in 2003 did.
"It's one of the most challenging problems the EU has ever encountered and
without a doubt one of the most difficult", French foreign minister Bernard
Kouchner was cited as saying by AP.
"Had we taken a vote we would have been at an impasse", he added.
According to Portuguese foreign minister Luis Amado, the bloc is "determined
to maintain the European unity". However, "we cannot ignore the fact there
are different sensitivities", he added.
The EU remains committed to the plan drafted by UN special envoy Marti
Ahtisaari, which sets Kosovo on the road to own statehood, with EU
commissioner Rehn saying "it is fair, balanced and provides the best
solution" for the region.
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