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Divided EU meets to debate Kosovo Divided EU meets to debate Kosovo
(about 3 hours later)
A number of European countries are expected to recognise Kosovo as an independent state after EU foreign ministers meet in Brussels on Monday.A number of European countries are expected to recognise Kosovo as an independent state after EU foreign ministers meet in Brussels on Monday.
Britain, France and Germany are likely to support the fledgling state but some fear it will set a dangerous precedent.Britain, France and Germany are likely to support the fledgling state but some fear it will set a dangerous precedent.
Kosovo's parliament unanimously backed independence on Sunday but Serbia's PM denounced it as a "false state".Kosovo's parliament unanimously backed independence on Sunday but Serbia's PM denounced it as a "false state".
A split emerged at the UN Security Council when Russia said Kosovo's declaration should be null and void.A split emerged at the UN Security Council when Russia said Kosovo's declaration should be null and void.
Russia's UN ambassador said there was no basis for changing a 1999 security council resolution on Kosovo's status - which hands Kosovo to the UN.Russia's UN ambassador said there was no basis for changing a 1999 security council resolution on Kosovo's status - which hands Kosovo to the UN.
But seven Western states including the United States, the UK, Belgium and France issued a statement saying the situation had moved on.But seven Western states including the United States, the UK, Belgium and France issued a statement saying the situation had moved on.
I hope we are going to have a platform that is united with virtually everyone Carl BildtSwedish Foreign Minister Kosovo's 'dream come true'Voters' voices I hope we are going to have a platform that is united with virtually everyone Carl BildtSwedish Foreign Minister Kosovo's 'dream come true'Voters' voices class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7250070.stm">Anger in Serbia
"We are determined to take up our own responsibilities, as states and through the EU and NATO, to secure stability and security in the region," Belgium's UN ambassador Johan Verbeke said. "We are determined to take up our own responsibilities, as states and through the EU and Nato, to secure stability and security in the region," Belgium's UN ambassador Johan Verbeke said.
China expressed its "deep concern" about Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence, urging it to reopen talks with Serbia.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on all sides to keep to their commitments and refrain from violence.UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on all sides to keep to their commitments and refrain from violence.
A second emergency session is due to be held on Monday. A second emergency session is due to be held later on Monday.
Noisy celebrationsNoisy celebrations
Celebrations in Kosovo went on into the night, as fireworks were let off and guns were fired into the air.Celebrations in Kosovo went on into the night, as fireworks were let off and guns were fired into the air.
KOSOVO PROFILE Population about two millionMajority ethnic Albanian; 10% SerbUnder UN control since Nato drove out Serb forces in 19992,000-strong EU staff to take over from UN after independenceNato to stay to provide security In pictures: CelebrationsEast-West split over KosovoIn quotes: World reactionKOSOVO PROFILE Population about two millionMajority ethnic Albanian; 10% SerbUnder UN control since Nato drove out Serb forces in 19992,000-strong EU staff to take over from UN after independenceNato to stay to provide security In pictures: CelebrationsEast-West split over KosovoIn quotes: World reaction
Hours after Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said Kosovo would be a democratic country that respected the rights of all ethnic communities, he signed an independence monument in the centre of the capital, Pristina.Hours after Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said Kosovo would be a democratic country that respected the rights of all ethnic communities, he signed an independence monument in the centre of the capital, Pristina.
The declaration which was approved on a show of hands said Kosovo would be built in accordance with the UN plan drawn up by former Finnish President, Martti Ahtisaari. The declaration which was approved on a show of hands said Kosovo would be built in accordance with the UN plan drawn up by former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari.
The international military and civilian presence - also envisaged by the Ahtisaari plan - was welcome, the PM said. The international military and civilian presence - also envisaged by the Ahtisaari plan - was welcome, Mr Thaci said.
There should be no fear of discrimination in new Kosovo, he said, vowing to eradicate any such practices.There should be no fear of discrimination in new Kosovo, he said, vowing to eradicate any such practices.
See a map of Kosovo's ethnic breakdown See a map of Kosovo's ethnic breakdown
A hand grenade thrown at a UN court building in the flashpoint town of Mitrovica caused slight damage but otherwise there were no reports of trouble in Kosovo.A hand grenade thrown at a UN court building in the flashpoint town of Mitrovica caused slight damage but otherwise there were no reports of trouble in Kosovo.
Police clash with protesters in BelgradeEnlarge ImagePolice clash with protesters in BelgradeEnlarge Image
In Belgrade, clashes between gangs of youths and riot police went on into the early hours of Monday morning.In Belgrade, clashes between gangs of youths and riot police went on into the early hours of Monday morning.
Demonstrators broke windows at the US embassy and also attacked the Serbian government building and the embassy of Slovenia which currently holds the EU presidency.Demonstrators broke windows at the US embassy and also attacked the Serbian government building and the embassy of Slovenia which currently holds the EU presidency.
The Serbian government has called for a mass protest rally against the Kosovo declaration later in the week.The Serbian government has called for a mass protest rally against the Kosovo declaration later in the week.
EU differencesEU differences
The difficulty for the EU will be in agreeing a common response.The difficulty for the EU will be in agreeing a common response.
Legal furore over recognitionAnalysis: Anxious BalkansFull text: Kosovo declarationLegal furore over recognitionAnalysis: Anxious BalkansFull text: Kosovo declaration
While the major European powers are widely expected to recognise Kosovo's independence from Serbia, several other countries have strong reservations.While the major European powers are widely expected to recognise Kosovo's independence from Serbia, several other countries have strong reservations.
Cyprus, Romania, Spain and Greece have expressed their concerns about the signal that recognition might send to separatists. Cyprus, Greece, Romania and Spain have expressed their concerns about the signal that recognition might send to separatists.
While Cyprus fears possible repercussions from Turkish-controlled northern Cyprus, Romania is worried by the response from pro-Russian separatists in Moldova.While Cyprus fears possible repercussions from Turkish-controlled northern Cyprus, Romania is worried by the response from pro-Russian separatists in Moldova.
Another two EU members, Bulgaria and Slovakia, have also indicated that they will not recognise Kosovo immediately.
HAVE YOUR SAYUnfortunately today Kosovo and Serbia are to become two dispensable chess-pieces of EU/NATO and RussiaMat, Ljubljana, SloveniaSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYUnfortunately today Kosovo and Serbia are to become two dispensable chess-pieces of EU/NATO and RussiaMat, Ljubljana, SloveniaSend us your comments
Russia's foreign ministry has also indicated that Western recognition of an independent Kosovo could have implications for the Georgian breakaway provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt told reporters on Sunday night that he hoped for a consensus among the 27 EU member states.
Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt told reporters on Sunday night that he hoped for a consensus among the 27 member states.
"I hope we are going to have a platform that is united with virtually everyone... my aim is to have 26. I think that is achievable," he said."I hope we are going to have a platform that is united with virtually everyone... my aim is to have 26. I think that is achievable," he said.
Meanwhile, Russia's foreign ministry has indicated that Western recognition of an independent Kosovo could have implications for the Georgian breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
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