EU focuses on Kosovo at summit
European leaders are thought to favour the creation of an independent Kosovan state.
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Friday, 14, Dec 2007 12:58
European leaders are turning their attention to the future status of Kosovo at a summit in Brussels today.
The issue is likely to dominate today's meeting, where it is expected the carrot of accelerated accession to EU membership will be dangled in front of Serbia.
The Balkan state has repeatedly voiced its opposition to complete independence for Kosovo but European leaders are expected to back the creation of a new state.
"This solution goes against the interests of Serbia and Kosovo Albanians, and against the stability of the region," Serbian prime minister Boris Tadic said earlier today.
British prime minister Gordon Brown made no mention of Kosovo after his arrival at the summit, instead focusing on more global concerns.
"Today begins a different chapter where we're looking at challenges of globalisation, jobs, prosperity, investment, economic reform, the environment and climate change and challenges of security," he told reporters.
"We'll sign a declaration of globalisation which will be Europe reaching out to the rest of the world to meet all the challenges of economic development, environmental security and prosperity for the future.
"I look forward to looking with my colleagues at some of the issues arising from the global financial turbulence and looking at what we can do about that as well."
The prime minister has been criticised for missing yesterday's signing of an historic reform treaty by 26 fellow European Union members.
Mr Brown was represented at the Lisbon ceremony by foreign secretary David Miliband and eventually added his name to the 250-page treaty in an ad hoc signing.
Click here for a summary of the latest developments in the search for Kosovo's final status.