More countries, int'l blocs react to Kosovo's declaration of independence

BRUSSELS, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Countries and international organizations on Monday continued to make mixed responses to Kosovo's declaration of independence.

The European Union (EU) said its member states would decide individually on whether to recognize the independence of Kosovo.

EU member states would individually decide, in accordance with national practice and international law, on their relations with Kosovo, said a statement issued after a heated meeting on the issue among EU foreign ministers.

The EU reiterated its long-standing commitment to the Western Balkans, and its readiness to play a leading role in strengthening stability in the region, said the statement.

The EU pledged to continue to cooperate with the United Nations, the NATO-led KFOR peacekeeping force in Kosovo, the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and other international actors in order to preserve stability in the region, said the statement.

The statement condemned recent acts of violence in Belgrade, Mitrovica and other places, in particular against foreign diplomatic missions and urged respective authorities to ensure security and safety of the EU citizens and their property.

The EU called on Serbia and Kosovo to respect previous commitments to refrain from any activities or statements which might endanger the security situation.

EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn told reporters that a donors' conference on Kosovo by the summer has been under planning.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the United States has formally recognized Kosovo as "a sovereign and independent state."

"President (George W.) Bush has responded affirmatively to a request from Kosovo to establish diplomatic relations between our two countries," Rice said in a statement.

In an apparent bid to pacify Serbia which has vowed not to recognize Kosovo's independence, Rice said the United States reaffirms its "friendship" with Serbia.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy recognized Kosovo "as a free and independent state" in a letter addressed to Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu.

Cyprus labeled the declaration of independence by Kosovo as "a secessionist act," which constitutes "a violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia."

The Cypriot Foreign Ministry said "this secessionist act falls outside the framework of international legality, and is therefore legally null and void."

Meanwhile, Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said Greece will take any of its decisions on the issue of Kosovo at a later stage.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said he had motioned the Polish government to recognize Kosovo's independence.

"I have tabled a motion to recognize Kosovo's independence, which is in line with the decisions made by a majority of the EU member states."

Belarus asked for a political settlement on the Kosovo situation within international laws and United Nations resolution.

"The settlement of the dispute on the status of Kosovo should be based on UN Security Council resolution 1244," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Georgian Foreign Minister David Bakradze said the Caucasus nation has no plan to recognize the independence of Kosovo.

Romanian President Traian Basescu said his country will be keeping its position and not recognize the independence of Kosovo.

Basescu had summoned parliamentary parties leaders at Cotroceni Presidential Palace to discuss recent developments in the region.

Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos reiterated his country's decision not to recognize Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia

Meanwhile, Finnish Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva said Finland was prepared to recognize Kosovo independence, Finnish News Agency STT reported.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan released a written statement to recognize Kosovo's independence and to appeal to all countries for the recognition of Kosovo.

Kosovo's proclamation of independence has drawn a fierce backlash from Serbia, who insists Kosovo is unseparated part of the country.

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said Serbia has recalled its ambassador to the United States.

Kostunica said at a special parliament session that the Serbian government has instructed the Serbian ambassador to the United States Ivan Vujacic to return immediately, as a protest against the U.S. decision to recognize Kosovo's independence.

Serbian President Boris Tadic called on all member states of the United Nations not to recognize the independence of Kosovo, the official Tanjug news agency reported.

Moreover, Serbian Interior Ministry filed criminal charges against Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, President Sejdiu and Parliament Speaker Jakup Krasniqi, accusing them of forming a false state on Serbia's territory, Tanjug reported.

"With this action, they committed a grave crime against the Constitutional order and security of Serbia," the ministry said in a statement.

The Serbian Supreme Court dismissed Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence as a null, void and illegal act.

However, Serbian Minister of Trade Predrag Bubalo said Serbia would not impose an immediate economic embargo on Kosovo when it has yet to be recognized by other countries, the official Tanjug news agency reported.

Kosovo was a southern autonomous province within Serbia before the breakup of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The Albanian-dominated region was plunged into ethnic conflicts in the 1990s.

Kosovo has been under UN administration since mid-1999, after NATO air strikes drove Serbian forces out of the province.