NATO: Members to “act individually” on Kosovo

NATO: Members to “act individually” on Kosovo

He underlined that NATO was not bracing itself for failure and that there was no Plan B, since the Russian veto “was still nonexistent.”

“NATO member states are hoping for a successful adoption of a new Kosovo resolution, which would include Martti Ahtisaari’s status recommendations,” Colston added.

According to Colston, such a resolution would offer a stable and safe way for Kosovo to move forward, as well as for its neighbors, “including Serbia.”

Colston confirmed that NATO and the Partnership for Peace defense ministers would meet in Brussels on Thursday to discuss the issue of Kosovo’s status settlement, among other topics on the agenda.

He stressed that the ministers of the 49 NATO members would state at the meeting that they wanted Serbia to gradually join the Euro-Atlantic integration process.

EU backs Kosovo solution within UN

The European Commission reaffirmed its position Moday that “the decision on Kosovo should be made at the UN Security Council.”

“EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn has called for a clear, sustainable solution for the region, without any unnecessary delays,” Rehn’s spokeswoman Christina Nagy told the press.

She added that the EU supported the proposal by Martti Ahtisaari as a basis for a new UN resolution.

Asked to comment whether Olli Rehn regarded U.S. President George Bush’s recent statements as constructive with respect to the talks currently taking place in the UN Security Council, and whether it was a good way to confront Russia on the issue, Nagy said she believed “it would not be advisable for her to pass judgments on statements given by any agents involved in the issue who were to decide on it in the Council.”

Nonetheless, she underscored that European Commission’s standpoint was clear.

“With Kosovo’s future in mind, we call for a resolution as an unambiguous legal and political decision,” she stressed.