Kosovo: Historic Opportunity for the European Union

BRUSSELS, Dec. 14 – The International Crisis Group said last week that the European Union had a historic opportunity to send an unequivocal message of readiness to take a leading role in Kosovo when heads of state and government met.
The Crisis Group sent a letter to EU heads of state with its President, Gareth Evans, noting that the Troika’s mandate had expired, and the international community, in particular the EU, had explored with Belgrade and Pristina every reasonable option for Kosovo in searching for a mutually acceptable outcome.
It reaffirmed that the plan for a conditionally independent Kosovo, devised by the UN Secretary-General’s special representative Martti Ahtisaari, remains the best basis for the settlement of the Kosovo issue.
It also states that the EU is ready to rapidly assume, in consultation with other key international participants, a significant role in Kosovo in the implementation of the Ahtisaari plan, including preparing itself to deploy a civilian European Security and Defense Policy rule-of-law mission and the International Civilian Office.
Evans stressed that such a message should be sent to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon before the UN Security Council meets on 19 December to discuss Kosovo.