Bremen, 02/04/2007 (Agence Europe) - Informed of the state of progress of a future international presence in Kosovo (EUROPE 9398), the foreign affairs ministers had no problem, on Friday, in acknowledging the primary role which the EU must play once the question of the status has been decided upon, and in supporting the process under way at the United Nations. In Bremen, however, European fanfare has not yet sounded in full for Martti Ahtisaari and certain member states have voiced a number of misgivings at the prospect of independence under supervision, as recommended by the United Nations special envoy and endorsed by the organisation's Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon.
We have “reinforced” the positions established in February by the Council of the EU (EUROPE 9364), Frank-Walter Steinnmeier, who chaired the Gymnich, told the press on Friday. At the time, the foreign affairs ministers had already pledged their full support to the work of the former Finnish president, taking the view that these proposals laid down “the basis for the sustainable economic and political development of Kosovo and for stability to be reinforced throughout the region”. It was before these most recent consultations between Belgrade and Pristina proved fruitless and the question was sent on, as it stood, to the United Nations Security Council. All of the member states welcomed “favourably the efforts of Mr Ahtisaari”, in support of a resolution “to ensure that an international civil and military presence is set in place”, Mr Steinmeier reiterated after the informal meeting, at which all of the delegations evinced determination to work “towards a sustainable resolution, with European unity being the key”, as Olli Rehn put it. “The EU will defend its common position, speaking with one voice at the Security Council”, affirmed Mr Steinmeier. But what if this is not enough?
The absence of a resolution would be a “disappointment” and a “source of instability”, the head of German diplomacy replied, hoping to convince the most reluctant of his audience. “It is true that there are those who hope to split the member states over this issue”, but “negotiations were invented in order to seek a solution to problems together”, a comment possibly aimed at Russia. In New York, an initial meeting of the Security Council on this issue is planned for this Tuesday. Whereas Moscow is openly opposed to a non-negotiated solution, certain member states are calling for patience and expressing certain doubts on Mr Ahtisaari's proposals as such.
“There are still a few differences and hesitations” over the final version of the status, the Slovenian foreign affairs minister, Dimitri Rupel, acknowledged on Friday. Slovenia, which is one of the five European members of the Security Council (together with France, the United Kingdom, Belgium and Italy), has manifested a number of misgivings about the concept of independence under supervision to be imposed upon Serbia. “I can say that a majority of member states fully support the Ahtisaari plan, but we (the Slovakians) occupy an almost unique position”, said Jan Kubis, the Slovakian foreign affairs minister, speaking on Saturday. He explained that “we want the concerns and requests of both sides to be taken into account and this is how we will negotiate at the United Nations Security Council”. Other countries, such as Spain and Greece, had also voiced a preference for a concerted solution, and one which would take account of Serbia. The common position of the EU has been established, but we are in a new procedure at the Security Council. If negotiations are to take place on the Ahtisaari proposals, “at that moment in time, at European level, we will agree on what must be done”, Mr Steinmeier acknowledged on Saturday. “A strong commitment towards Serbia is an essential element in order to move forward the process on the status”, pointed out Enlargement Commissioner, Olli Rehn. (ab)