06/03/2008 (Agence Europe) - Kosovo and Afghanistan have been the focus of talks between the EU ministerial troika - composed of Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Robert Cooper from the Council - and Canadian Foreign Minister Maxime Bernier on Wednesday evening, 5 March. On the subject of Kosovo, both parties agree that emphasis should be placed on the unique nature (sui generis) of the unilateral declaration of independence. On Afghanistan, the EU welcomed Canada's commitment with over 2,000 servicemen and women on the ground. Cuba and the Middle East, as well as tension between Columbia, Venezuela and Ecuador were also discussed. The same subjects, as well as Russia and Iran, were also on the agenda of the meeting held on Thursday evening 6 March in Brussels between the EU troika and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. (H.B.)