Kosovo, test for EU, major task for Slovenia

The EU info portal, EU Observer, says Kosovo will be the focal point of Slovenia's upcoming EU presidency. The future status of Kosovo is shaping up to be one of the biggest political tests facing the EU in recent years, the website said, adding that this was particularly true with Kosovo Albanians indicating they will unilaterally declare independence if a December 10 deadline for international talks on the issue goes by without a negotiated agreement. Kosovo, test for EU, major task for Slovenia Slovenia has said the keeping of unity in the European Union on the Kosovo issue will be a major task when it takes over the running of the 27-nation bloc at the beginning of next year. During a visit to Kosovo, Slovene foreign minister Dimitrij Rupel said his country was preparing "for all possibilities" if and when Kosovo is granted independence, reports the Associated Press. The problem of unity should be taken very seriously," said Rupel, who met the top UN official in Kosovo, Joachim Ruecker. The EU's difficulty on the issue is highlighted by its own internal divisions on how to deal with ethnic Albanian-dominated Kosovo, a UN protectorate since 1999. "Some countries are in favor of an independent Kosovo but others fear that it would set a precedent for independence-minded regions within the EU itself. Greece and Cyprus are said to be particularly worried about the implications such a move could have for Turkish-controlled northern Cyprus. There is also reluctance among certain member states to support a new state if the UN security council has not done so. But agreement in the UN is proving tough as Russia - a veto-wielding member of the security council - is sympathetic to Serbia which is against full independence for Kosovo, EU Observer says. With the clock ticking on the December deadline, the whole political hornet's nest will land in small Slovenia's lap come January, when it takes over the EU presidency. Already Slovene officials are working hard behind the scenes to prepare the ground, with it still unclear "at what stage" it will inherit the issue. But Ljubljana is working on an overall inclusive approach to all of the Western Balkans, even hoping to put the issue as a main topic on the June meeting of EU leaders, the portal says. At the same time, Slovenia's STA news agency reported, quoting its foreign ministry sources, that Ljubljana will not "jump the gun" on other EU states to recognize Kosovo's independence, but that it will also not wait for all the 27 members to make that decision. Instead, according to the STA, Ljubljana will recognize Kosovo's independence "with an appropriate group" of EU countries.

Kosovo, test for EU, major task for Slovenia

Slovenia has said the keeping of unity in the European Union on the Kosovo issue will be a major task when it takes over the running of the 27-nation bloc at the beginning of next year.

During a visit to Kosovo, Slovene foreign minister Dimitrij Rupel said his country was preparing "for all possibilities" if and when Kosovo is granted independence, reports the Associated Press.

The problem of unity should be taken very seriously," said Rupel, who met the top UN official in Kosovo, Joachim Ruecker.

The EU's difficulty on the issue is highlighted by its own internal divisions on how to deal with ethnic Albanian-dominated Kosovo, a UN protectorate since 1999.

"Some countries are in favor of an independent Kosovo but others fear that it would set a precedent for independence-minded regions within the EU itself.

Greece and Cyprus are said to be particularly worried about the implications such a move could have for Turkish-controlled northern Cyprus.

There is also reluctance among certain member states to support a new state if the UN security council has not done so. But agreement in the UN is proving tough as Russia - a veto-wielding member of the security council - is sympathetic to Serbia which is against full independence for Kosovo, EU Observer says.

With the clock ticking on the December deadline, the whole political hornet's nest will land in small Slovenia's lap come January, when it takes over the EU presidency.

Already Slovene officials are working hard behind the scenes to prepare the ground, with it still unclear "at what stage" it will inherit the issue.

But Ljubljana is working on an overall inclusive approach to all of the Western Balkans, even hoping to put the issue as a main topic on the June meeting of EU leaders, the portal says.

At the same time, Slovenia's STA news agency reported, quoting its foreign ministry sources, that Ljubljana will not "jump the gun" on other EU states to recognize Kosovo's independence, but that it will also not wait for all the 27 members to make that decision.

Instead, according to the STA, Ljubljana will recognize Kosovo's independence "with an appropriate group" of EU countries.