Interview: EU must pay the price of Kosovo failure[fr][de] 

"Kosovo has declared its independence without having the characteristics of a viable independent state. It depends on external help for almost every matter, including its internal security," de Montbrial pointed out. 

The main problem is that the US position that Kosovo deserves its own state - which found backing among several European countries - has never been backed up by a regional plan, de Montbrial claimed. 

"Therefore we now find ourselves in a situation in which the Serbs feel deeply hurt and on which international law does not give any clear guidance." 

He accuses the Europeans of having failed to show leadership on this issue and having made promises to the Kosovar-Albanians which they cannot fulfill. "Now Europe has to pay the price," de Montbrial said, adding that "Europe is used to paying for situations which it cannot control politically". 

"If the Americans and certain European countries had not told the Kosovars again and again since the end of the war that they would become independent, if we had not held up this flame since then, they would have a different attitude today and the status quo could have been maintained," de Montbrial claims. 

The consequences of Europe's inaction and empty promises will be felt not only in Europe, but all around the globe, the IFRI director points out: "What is happening in Georgia or elsewhere will be pretty much influenced by the current situation." 

Persistently ignoring Russia's opposition to Kosovo's independence has been another European shortcoming, de Montbrial said, adding that he would not be surprised if Moscow, in the future, lends its support to Georgia's breakaway provinces of Abkazia and South Ossetia as they aspire towards independence. 

To read the full interview with Thierry de Montbrial on EurActiv France, please click here .