France is holding "consultations" with other EU countries on the issue of the independence of Kosovo, which might be proclaimed as soon as Sunday or Monday, the French Foreign Ministry announced Thursday.
"We are holding consultations with our European partners on this issue and this will be the subject of discussions, when EU's General Affairs and External Relations Council meets in Brussels on Monday," Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Pascale Andreani told reporters during a press briefing.
According to diplomatic sources, Paris, along with Britain, Germany and Italy, is keen to recognize the independence of the breakaway Serbian province as soon as it is proclaimed.
If the independence is proclaimed in Pristina on Sunday, the four countries are expected to announce their intention to formally recognize the new state, in accordance to their specific diplomatic requirements, according to the source.
"Kosovo will declare independence. France will recognize this declaration. France, the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy are expected do so at the same time," said the diplomat on condition of anonymity.
This recognition does not in any way demonstrate "enthusiasm for the cause of Kosovo," but rather that "the best way to try to avoid problems on the ground inside Kosovo after the declaration," said the diplomat.
Paris is expecting a negative reaction from Serbia, but hopes that the reaction will be limited to demonstrations and diplomatic initiatives, said a source at the French Foreign Ministry, adding that "we will need to show flexibility and understanding towards Belgrade."
On Tuesday, France's Secretary of State for European Affairs Jean-Pierre Jouyet called on the EU to offer Serbia "very clear prospects for accession into the 27 member bloc" as part of efforts to defuse tensions over the issue of Kosovo.
According to Jouyet, France, which is scheduled to assume the rotating EU presidency during the second half of 2008, was keen on "going as far as possible in the offers that we can make to Serbia " to integrate with the Union.
The issue of the province under Serbian sovereignty, but administered by the United Nations since 1999, was set to be discussed Thursday during an emergency session of United Nations Security Council, at the request of Belgrade and its ally Russia. |
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