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Split EU meets to debate Kosovo | Split EU meets to debate Kosovo |
(9 minutes later) | |
EU foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels to seek a joint position on Kosovo's independence declaration. | EU foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels to seek a joint position on Kosovo's independence 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, Greece, Romania and Spain have expressed anxiety about the signal that recognition might send to separatists. | Cyprus, Greece, Romania and Spain have expressed anxiety about the signal that recognition might send to separatists. |
Kosovo's majority ethnic Albanians celebrated with fireworks late into the night after parliament's declaration. | Kosovo's majority ethnic Albanians celebrated with fireworks late into the night after parliament's declaration. |
See a map of Kosovo's ethnic breakdown | See a map of Kosovo's ethnic breakdown |
Slovenia's Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, chairing the EU meeting, said "I understand many of the member states will recognise" Kosovo. | Slovenia's Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, chairing the EU meeting, said "I understand many of the member states will recognise" Kosovo. |
His British and French colleagues insisted Kosovo was a unique case and called for EU unity on the issue, the BBC's Oana Lungescu reports. | His British and French colleagues insisted Kosovo was a unique case and called for EU unity on the issue, the BBC's Oana Lungescu reports. |
I understand many EU members will recognise Kosovo Dimitrij RupelSlovenian Foreign Minister Anger in Serbia | I understand many EU members will recognise Kosovo Dimitrij RupelSlovenian Foreign Minister Anger in Serbia |
UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband described Kosovo as a "unique situation which deserves a unique response". | |
"I think it's very important that we recognise that all of the countries of the Western Balkans are European countries and therefore it's critical that Europe shows real leadership in how it ensures that peace and stability are the order of the day," he said. | |
The EU has already agreed to send about 2,000 police, justice and civil administration officials to oversee Kosovo and help develop the province's institutions. | The EU has already agreed to send about 2,000 police, justice and civil administration officials to oversee Kosovo and help develop the province's institutions. |
Russian opposition | Russian opposition |
A split emerged at the UN Security Council on Sunday when Russia said Kosovo's declaration should be null and void. | A split emerged at the UN Security Council on Sunday when Russia said Kosovo's declaration should be null and void. |
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 Full text: Kosovo declarationIn pictures: Celebrations | 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 Full text: Kosovo declarationIn pictures: Celebrations |
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. |
Russia has indicated that Western recognition of an independent Kosovo could have implications for the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in Georgia. | Russia has indicated that Western recognition of an independent Kosovo could have implications for the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in Georgia. |
China expressed its "deep concern" about Kosovo's declaration, urging it to reopen talks with Serbia. | China expressed its "deep concern" about Kosovo's declaration, 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 later on Monday.HAVE YOUR SAYUnfortunately today Kosovo and Serbia are to become two dispensable chess-pieces of EU/NATO and RussiaMat, Ljubljana, SloveniaSend us your comments | A second emergency session is due to be held later on Monday.HAVE YOUR SAYUnfortunately today Kosovo and Serbia are to become two dispensable chess-pieces of EU/NATO and RussiaMat, Ljubljana, SloveniaSend us your comments |
The independence declaration said Kosovo would be built in accordance with the UN plan drawn up by former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari. | The independence declaration 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, Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said. | The international military and civilian presence - also envisaged by the Ahtisaari plan - was welcome, Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim 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. |
Violence | Violence |
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. |
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. |
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