"No Kosovo status changes before spring"

[Crvena zvezda]

"No Kosovo status changes before spring"27 December 2007 | 11:43 -> 12:33 | Source: B92, FoNet, Beta VIENNA -- Benita Ferrero-Waldner said that no change in the status of Kosovo is expected before the spring.

“I do not expect any great changes until next year, in March or April,” the European Commissioner for Foreign Policies said in an interview for Vienna-based daily Die Presse.

She said that the European Union has sent a clear message that “it will send troops that will secure Kosovo.”

“However, it is important to have a clear stance on the status question as well,” she said, adding that this must be discussed with the "Kosovars" and, “as much as possible", with the Serbs.

Waldner said that she is convinced that the United Nations will call for the EU to send a civil mission to Kosovo.

“We must show that we are not only able to help stabilize the situation, but play a more important role with the mission, including police, judges, and building state institutions. However, there is still no final stance from the Russians and Chinese,” Waldner said.

Slovenia's EU presidency good for Kosovo

Chairman of the German Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, Ruprecht Polenz, said that it is vital that Slovenian will take over the European Union presidency in the first half of 2008, when "difficult decisions regarding Kosovo will have to be made".

In an interview with a German radio station, he said that “Slovenia taking over the presidency of the EU will enable the expected European reaction to the proclamation of Kosovo independence to be well prepared."

“Now, on one side, it is important to secure that effects are minimal on the neighboring regional countries such as Macedonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, once Kosovo’s status changes."

"On the other side, it is also important for Serbia to not loose its step and continue on its path toward Europe,” Polenz said.

He added that “it is an advantage that the presidency is being taken over by a former Yugoslav republic with a deep understanding of the situation in the region."