Brussels, 04/09/2007 (Agence Europe) - “The only way Europe will avoid the trap of Kosovo is through unity. That's the only option, no matter what the Serbs or the Albanians say on the issues raised by the Troika (United States, Russia, EU), and after months of negotiations,” French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner said on Tuesday 4 September, during a visit to Romania. Hoping for a solution on the future of what is still a Serbian province, a solution that requires the agreement of the two parties, Mr Kouchner said, “the most precious thing is European unity”. Talks between US, Russian and EU representatives and Serbian and Kosovan leaders have restarted in Vienna, in the unlikely hope of finding a compromise (see EUROPE 9491). In an interview with Reuters on 3 September, the UN representative to Kosovo, Joachim Rücker set out what was at stake in this 120-day long new phase of discussions. “We must not fall into some kind of vacuum after 10 December,” the date by which the Troika has to report to the UN Security Council on the outcome of negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina, he said. “Of course, we would all prefer an agreement to be found … However, the international community, an in particular the European Union, must prepare itself for other outcomes,” he added. (ab)