Kosovo To Declare Independence In "Next Few Days"

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 13:21:54 +0000
Vittorio Hernandez - AHN News Writer

Brussels, Belgium (AHN) - Kosovo Prime Minister Hashin Thaci has boldly announced that the province will declare its independence from Serbia "in the next few days." The declaration comes after a top-level meeting with European Union Foreign Policy chief Javier Solana in Brussels.

Still, before it makes the anticipated break, the province will observe EU procedures and follow minute details, Thaci said. The European Union wants a civilian mission put in place to take over the functions of the current United Nations-led provincial government. Part of the mission is a judicial and police staff of 1,800.

The BBC said the EU wants Kosovo to wait until the second round of Serbia's presidential elections is held next month as cue for it to declare independence. When asked for a specific date, an EU spokeswoman told BBC, "We are in a very sensitive political context in which it is better to resort to diplomatic means than to public statements."

Kosovo has the support of the U.S. and the EU on its independence bid, but Russia is opposed to it. Russia maintains that Serbia should have the final say on if the province ever gains full independence.

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