EU Sanguine about Situation in Kosovo, Balkans
The EU is upbeat about the situation in Kosovo and the broader Balkans despite the fallout from Kosovo's declaration of independence. "The situation as a whole is much calmer...I think it will evolve in this direction," the EU's foreign policy chief Javier Solana said after Thursday's informal meeting of EU defence ministers.
Solana acknowledged that the situation in the Serbian-controlled northern part of Kosovo was challenging.
"The biggest challenge is north of the river Ibar, this will be very important, for us and for relations between both communities."
"How this evolves will be very important to the stabilisation of the region," he said. "We're going to follow the evolution on the ground very closely."
Solana also highlighted the importance of cooperation with the UN mission UNMIK and the NATO-led KFOR. "It is very important that cooperation continues in very solid manner."
The EU has decided to deploy a 1,800-strong civilian and police mission to Kosovo, the EULEX. According to Solana, all 27 member states have decided to take part. "Nobody said they will not participate".
Slovenian Defence Minister Karl Erjavec meanwhile said it was necessary to ensure a successful transformation of UNMIK into a civilian EU mission.
He also underlined the need to bear Serbia in mind. "We may not forget Serbia, we need to help it," he said.
The ministers also discussed today the Althea mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Erjavec pointing out that the EU must retain appropriate presence as long as needed.
He said progress in the country would be evaluated "so as to provide a basis for making a decision on whether to continue or abandon the mission."
The procedure of political and economic reforms must continue, only that way can Bosnia have a clear EU perspective. The ministers agreed that 2008 will be vital for Bosnia, he said.
Similarly, Solana said it has to be seen when the operation can be finished, but now is still not the moment to take such a decision.
A decision will also have to be made on the transformation of the Office of the High Representative into an office of EU high representative.
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