This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7143817.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
EU offers Serbia deal on Kosovo EU offers Serbia deal on Kosovo
(about 1 hour later)
European Union leaders have offered Serbia a fast-track route towards candidacy for EU membership. EU leaders have offered to accelerate Serbia's membership in the bloc, but only after Belgrade hands over war crime fugitives still at large.
The plan is seen as a way of keeping the Balkans stable, with Kosovo set to declare independence from Serbia, which has already rejected the "trade-off". The move is seen as a way of keeping the Balkans stable, with Kosovo set to declare independence from Serbia.
The leaders also agreed "in principle" to send a security force to Kosovo. The leaders also agreed in principle to send a 1,800 security force to Kosovo.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said the breakaway region's independence was "inevitable" but the leaders refrained from backing a unilateral declaration.French President Nicolas Sarkozy said the breakaway region's independence was "inevitable" but the leaders refrained from backing a unilateral declaration.
At a one-day summit in Brussels, Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates said: "What we do now is undertake negotiations at the United Nations Security Council." Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said the recognition of Kosovo's independence would be "the most dangerous precedent after World War II".
The leaders stated that the current situation in Kosovo was unsustainable and that they had agreed in principle to send a civilian mission of 1,800 police and judicial officials to the region. Mr Kostunica also said the EU plan to send its mission to Kosovo would create "a puppet state" on Serbian soil.
Mr Socrates, whose country holds the EU presidency, said it was the clearest signal the EU could possibly send that it intends to take the lead role in the future status of the province. 'Clearest signal'
At a one-day summit in Brussels, the EU leaders stated that the current situation in Kosovo was unsustainable.
They said that they had agreed "in principle" to send its mission of 1,800 police and judicial officials to the province.
Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates, whose country currently holds the EU presidency, said it was the clearest signal the EU could possibly send that it intends to take the lead role in the future status of the province.
This was a sentiment echoed by UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown who said: "Europe wants to manage the next stage in Kosovo in a pro-active and in a united way."This was a sentiment echoed by UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown who said: "Europe wants to manage the next stage in Kosovo in a pro-active and in a united way."
Conditions remain The BBC's Oana Lungescu in Brussels says Europe is also sending a political message of encouragement to Serbia, ahead of a presidential election next month where the pro-Western incumbent will face an ultra-nationalist candidate.
The BBC's Oana Lungescu in Brussels says Europe is sending a political message of encouragement to Serbia, ahead of a presidential election next month where the pro-Western incumbent will face an ultra-nationalist candidate. Mr Socrates also said the EU was confident that Serbia's progress towards EU candidate status could be accelerated, but it hinged on Belgrade's full co-operation in handing over war crimes fugitives.
Mr Socrates said the EU was confident that Serbia's progress towards EU candidate status could be accelerated, but only after Belgrade hands over the war crime fugitives still at large.
But the Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic rejected any linkage.But the Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic rejected any linkage.
Serbia, he said, would work on speeding up European integration but would never accept anything in exchange for Kosovo.Serbia, he said, would work on speeding up European integration but would never accept anything in exchange for Kosovo.
A majority of Serbs see Kosovo as an historic part of their country and the issue will play a prominent part in the run-up to the election.A majority of Serbs see Kosovo as an historic part of their country and the issue will play a prominent part in the run-up to the election.
Serbian President Boris Tadic has said he is not prepared to distance himself from the EU if it pushed for independence, even though he opposes it. Serbian President Boris Tadic has said he is not prepared to distance himself from the EU if it pushed for Kosovo's independence, even though he opposes it.
Some EU member states are against independence for Kosovo.Some EU member states are against independence for Kosovo.
Cyprus is the most strongly opposed, but Greece, Slovakia, Spain and Romania have all expressed concern about the possible repercussions for separatist movements elsewhere in Europe.Cyprus is the most strongly opposed, but Greece, Slovakia, Spain and Romania have all expressed concern about the possible repercussions for separatist movements elsewhere in Europe.
Following the summit, Romania's President Traian Basescu said: "Based on the principle of territorial integrity and inviolability, we cannot recognise Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence."Following the summit, Romania's President Traian Basescu said: "Based on the principle of territorial integrity and inviolability, we cannot recognise Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence."