Big EU powers Britain, Germany, France to lead bloc's recognition of Kosovo

The European Union on Monday considered Kosovo's declaration of independence and its possible impact on Balkan stability with officials saying many of the 27 EU nations will recognize Kosovo as an independent nation.

Ahead of an EU foreign ministers meeting, Britain, Germany and France were expected to take the lead in that and nudge their partners into following suit.

Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitri Rupel, whose country holds the EU presidency, told reporters on arrival of the EU meeting, "I understand that many member (EU) states will recognize" Kosovo. He condemned Sunday's violence in Belgrade where riot police used rubber bullets, tear gas and baton charges to disperse hundreds of ultra-nationalists opposed to Kosovo's independence.

"It's regrettable," said Rupel.

"I've already told my Serbian counterpart it is appalling that some Serbian politicians admonish to tension and riots. Their duty is to try to find common ground."

Others, too, expressed concern about stability in the Balkans after Kosovo's split from Serbia _ a move both Russia and Serbia termed illegal.

Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen said "recognition (of Kosovo) is not something we do hastily."

The 27 EU nations are not united on recognition. While all endorse an unprecedented aid plan for Kosovo, some _ notably Greece, Romania, Spain, Cyprus and Slovakia _ will not recognize Kosovo for fear of encouraging separatist sentiments within their own borders.

Slovakia's Foreign Ministry said on Sunday already that his nation "for the time being does not consider recognizing Kosovo."

But at the outset of the EU meeting, many officials appeared to accept Kosovo's break from Serbia as a done deal.

"Kosovo's declaration of independence is the result of a long process (of consultations about its future status) in which the European Union left no stone unturned for a negotiated outcome," said Olli Rehn, the EU Enlargement Commissioner. "Now it is important that all the people in the region enjoy peace and stability. No violence will be tolerated."

The EU itself does not recognize states, only its member states do.

The EU foreign ministers debated a declaration that would "take note" of Kosovo's new status and that would offer an olive branch to Serbia, in the form of more aid and trade ties and possible eventual membership.

Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller urged Belgrade to understand its position and to not become too attached to Russia.

"It is important that Serbia knows that Serbia is not going to be a part of Russia," he told reporters. "Serbia is going to be a part of Europe."

Diplomats said it may be tough to get Cyprus and others to agree to a joint text. Cyprus and Spain, which both struggle with separatist movements, are loath to even acknowledge the independence bid on paper, diplomats said, for fear of setting a precedent.

Keen to avoid a repeat of the violence that marked the collapse of Yugoslavia a decade ago, the EU joined NATO on Sunday in appealing for calm in the region hours after Kosovo split from Serbia _ a move that was immediately declared illegal by Belgrade.

On Saturday, the EU acted pre-emptively by agreeing to send a 1,800-strong mission to Kosovo to help the fledgling state build its police force and judiciary.

The EU has also drafted plans to turn Kosovo into a democratic, multiethnic entity committed to the rule of law and good neighborly relations. It has already given Kosovo euro2 billion (US$2.9 billion) in aid and will give another euro330 million (US$484.2 million) over the next three years.