EU, NATO vow cooperation in Kosovo

EU, NATO vow cooperation in Kosovo

NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer told reporters after talks with EU chief Javier Solana that the 26-nation military alliance - which has deployed 16,000 troops in Kosovo - was determined to work in Kosovo with the EU.

"We will have as close cooperation as possible" said Scheffer, adding that NATO forces in Kosovo would also continue to have a "very important role" to play in the territory.

"NATO is ready for all eventualities in Kosovo ... violence will not help anything," warned Scheffer.

Solana, at a joint news conference with Scheffer, insisted on the need for a UN Security Council resolution on Kosovo, saying "there is no other way" out of the process.

Once such a UN resolution was agreed, the EU would assume its responsibilities in Kosovo, including on security issues, said Solana.

EU governments agreed last year that the bloc would take on an "enhanced role" in Kosovo following agreement on the territory's future status.

Officials say the EU will focus on projects aimed at boosting the rule of law in Kosovo, including training for local police forces.

The NATO and EU chiefs made their comments as a final round of negotiations continued in Vienna on a proposal by former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari to give Kosovo internationally-supervised self-rule.