EU diplomacy chiefs discuss Kosovo

BREMEN German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Kosovo’s stability was “essential for security in the EU.” “Stability and security in Kosovo is vital for Europe's security interests,” Steinmeier at the opening of a two-day EU foreign ministers meeting in Bremen, Germany. EU diplomacy chiefs discuss Kosovo EU countries will maintain their common position on Kosovo and continue to support UN proposals for quasi-independence for the territory, said Steinmeier. Reports indicate that Germany, currently presiding over the EU, could meet with several EU states’ opposition, including Spain, Greece and Slovakia, concerned that Kosovo’s independence could trigger demands for similar treatment by other disputed territories. Spain's Europe Minister Alberto Navarro told reporters, however, that he would not block joint EU support for the UN proposals. Although “unhappy” about the Kosovo status solution suggested by the UN special envoy Martti Ahtisaari, Spain will not break the EU and the international community unity on the issue and will therefore support his plan. Navarro added that the Spanish government demanded that the UN Security Council adopts a “clear resolution in order to provide a legal basis for Kosovo.” He said that when it came to Montenegro’s independence, the constitution provided for the legal justification, noting that this was absent in the case of Kosovo. Despite the Russian opposition to the plan presented by Ahtisaari, Steinmeier insisted that a Security Council resolution on Kosovo should be issued “within an acceptable time frame.” Ministers in Bremen are expected to approve a report on Kosovo drawn up by EU chief diplomat Javier Solana and Olli Rehn, the bloc's enlargement commissioner, calling for increased international aid for the territory. The report says the EU has a “special responsibility in Kosovo which is on our own front yard.” But EU funds for promoting a “democratic, stable and sustainable Kosovo” will have to be backed up by help from other nations. As such, the international community needs to ensure that sufficient resources are available, say Solana and Rehn. No specific amounts are mentioned but Rehn told the European parliament this week that Kosovo would require international grants worth about EUR 1.5bn for the first three years after achieving quasi-independence. These funds will be needed to cover Kosovo's share of foreign debt run up by the former Yugoslavia, the cost of implementing Kosovo's new status, economic development needs and payments for the EU's planned police mission in the territory. The European Commission has already earmarked 200 million euros in aid to Kosovo for the coming three years. However, others must share the responsibility, said Rehn. The report also promises that Kosovo will be offered a trade and association pact with the EU on the lines of similar deals being negotiated with other states in the western Balkans. As in the case with other countries in the western Balkans, any such agreement will focus on improving the rule of law in Kosovo as well as the fight against corruption, good governance and public administration reform. Under the supervised independence plan, Kosovo will be run by a so-called International Civilian Office led by a EU special representative who will be 'double-hatted' as the international envoy. The EU will also deploy up to 2,000 personnel in the territory to take on police and judicial tasks. The report said the EU mission would have 'executive powers' in both areas to deal with the prosecution of organized crime, inter-ethnic strife, border issues as well as crowd and riot control.

EU diplomacy chiefs discuss Kosovo

EU countries will maintain their common position on Kosovo and continue to support UN proposals for quasi-independence for the territory, said Steinmeier.

Reports indicate that Germany, currently presiding over the EU, could meet with several EU states’ opposition, including Spain, Greece and Slovakia, concerned that Kosovo’s independence could trigger demands for similar treatment by other disputed territories.

Spain's Europe Minister Alberto Navarro told reporters, however, that he would not block joint EU support for the UN proposals.

Although “unhappy” about the Kosovo status solution suggested by the UN special envoy Martti Ahtisaari, Spain will not break the EU and the international community unity on the issue and will therefore support his plan.

Navarro added that the Spanish government demanded that the UN Security Council adopts a “clear resolution in order to provide a legal basis for Kosovo.”

He said that when it came to Montenegro’s independence, the constitution provided for the legal justification, noting that this was absent in the case of Kosovo.

Despite the Russian opposition to the plan presented by Ahtisaari, Steinmeier insisted  that a Security Council resolution on Kosovo should be issued “within an acceptable time frame.”

Ministers in Bremen are expected to approve a report on Kosovo drawn up by EU chief diplomat Javier Solana and Olli Rehn, the bloc's enlargement commissioner, calling for increased international aid for the territory.

The report says the EU has a “special responsibility in Kosovo which is on our own front yard.”

But EU funds for promoting a “democratic, stable and sustainable Kosovo” will have to be backed up by help from other nations. As such, the international community needs to ensure that sufficient resources are available, say Solana and Rehn.

No specific amounts are mentioned but Rehn told the European parliament this week that Kosovo would require international grants worth about EUR 1.5bn for the first three years after achieving quasi-independence.

These funds will be needed to cover Kosovo's share of foreign debt run up by the former Yugoslavia, the cost of implementing Kosovo's new status, economic development needs and payments for the EU's planned police mission in the territory.

The European Commission has already earmarked 200 million euros in aid to Kosovo for the coming three years. However, others must share the responsibility, said Rehn.

The report also promises that Kosovo will be offered a trade and association pact with the EU on the lines of similar deals being negotiated with other states in the western Balkans.

As in the case with other countries in the western Balkans, any such agreement will focus on improving the rule of law in Kosovo as well as the fight against corruption, good governance and public administration reform.

Under the supervised independence plan, Kosovo will be run by a so-called International Civilian Office led by a EU special representative who will be 'double-hatted' as the international envoy.

The EU will also deploy up to 2,000 personnel in the territory to take on police and judicial tasks. The report said the EU mission would have 'executive powers' in both areas to deal with the prosecution of organized crime, inter-ethnic strife, border issues as well as crowd and riot control.