EU?set to hold reins in Kosovo

The EU could be supervising the governance of an independent Kosovo before the end of summer, according to the time-frame being prepared by diplomats for the final status of the province.

Plans are in place for the EU to take custody of Kosovo from the United Nations within 120 days of a UN Security Council resolution. EU and US diplomats are pushing for the resolution to be passed before the end of May.

Speaking to defence ministers in Brussels on Monday (14 May), EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana reiterated the aim of taking over within 120 days of a Security Council resolution being adopted.

Ministers also discussed the mandate for Peter Feith, expected to become the EU and international representative in Kosovo.

On Friday (11 May), a draft resolution was circulated by the United States, France, the UK and Germany that backed UN mediator Martti Ahtisaari’s proposals to grant Kosovo indep-endence under EU and international supervision.

Russia has already stated that some parts of the draft are unacceptable, but has not explicitly threatened to use its veto at the Security Council. The issue is on the agenda of an EU-Russia summit on Friday (18 May).

EU diplomats said that a compromise could be reached, passing a resolution that is vague about Kosovo’s indep-endence, but which would leave member states to recognise the province bilaterally. But speaking on Tuesday (15 May) Russian Ambassador to the EU, Vladimir Chizhov, said that such a solution would undermine the UN.

One EU official said: "We need to talk about this" [with Russia], "it is something that will have to be decided very, very soon. We have to have a Security Council resolution."

EU diplomats said that they hoped to capitalise on the agreement of Serbian pro-EU parties to form a coalition government, although hard-line nationalists came first in January’s elections.

On Friday, long-time political rivals President Boris Tadic and acting-Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica reached a deal to form a coalition govern-ment. Diplomats believe this will create a better environment for a peaceful transition to a new status for Kosovo.

The EU could be supervising the governance of an independent Kosovo before the end of summer, according to the time-frame being prepared by diplomats for the final status of the province.