EU divided over breakaway Kosovo

The European Union’s 27 nations were divided today over whether to recognise Kosovo’s statehood after the province unilaterally declares independence from Serbia.

Diplomats said about 20 EU nations – led by Britain, France, Germany and Italy - are keen to recognise Kosovo’s break from Serbia. However, Cyprus, Greece, Spain, Romania are vehemently against it. Slovakia, too, has voiced doubts but could move toward recognising Kosovo’s statehood, diplomats said.

The EU as a bloc does not have the power to grant new states diplomatic recognition. But most members want all EU capitals to recognise Kosovo so the bloc can start forging closer ties with Pristina.

Kosovo’s ethnic Albanian leadership is expected to declare independence today, and EU foreign ministers are meeting tomorrow to assess the bloc’s role in ensuring stability in the Balkans.

Britain, France and Germany could move quickly after those talks to officially back Kosovo’s new status, diplomats said – a move that could antagonise more sceptical EU states.

The ministers will try to forge a joint declaration that says the bloc “takes note” of Kosovo’s move. The EU declaration also is expected to offer an olive branch to Serbia, inviting the country to sign up to a new aid-and-trade pact that would lead to eventual EU membership.

Diplomats said it would be hard, however, to get Cyprus and others to agree to a joint text. Cyprus and Spain, which both have separatist movements in their territories, are loathe to even acknowledge the independence bid on paper, diplomats said, because they fear it could set a dangerous precedent.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso appealed to EU nations earlier in the week to act in unison on Kosovo.

“In case there is independence of Kosovo declared by the Kosovar authorities, we hope that the European Union acts as much as possible in a coherent manner,” Barroso said.

He said the EU wants to provide both Serbia and Kosovo with a European future.

“We want to show Kosovo and Serbia that their future is with us and that we like them to ally with our principles and make sure they are managed properly and without creating war,” Barroso said.

EU officials are keen to avoid a repeat of past divisions. During the implosion of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, the EU was unable to take a unified and effective stance on the conflict.

On Saturday, the EU acted pre-emptively by agreeing to send a 1,800-strong mission to Kosovo to help the fledgling state build its police force and judiciary.

Kosovo has been under UN and Nato administration since a Nato-led air war in 1999 to halt late ex-Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic’s crackdown on ethnic Albanian separatists.