The recommendations to the Security Council by UN Special Representative Martti Ahtisaari on 26 March 2007 have received backing by the EU, the US and NATO.
The report states that supervised independence is the "only viable option" for Kosovo and warns that a re-establishment of Serbian rule might cause "violent opposition" in the region.
Meanwhile, Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica on 28 March 2007 said that Serbia wanted the Ahtisaari plan to "meet with failure" and demonstrated his clear opposition to an independent Kosovo.
Security Council members Russia and China have taken the Serbian side. But even though Russia has argued it would not support any resolution, which would impose Kosovo independence on Serbia, it is uncertain whether it would actually make use of its veto right.
The European Parliament is to vote on 29 March 2007 on its own-initiative report on Kosovo by rapporteur Joost Lagendijk (Greens/EFA). The report supports the Ahtisaari proposal, buts avoids explicit mention of Kosovo's independence. It also underlines the European perspective for Serbia and Kosovo.
Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn welcomed the report and said: "The essence of the decision on Kosovo is European unity. We must continue to support President Ahtisaari and his proposal with consistent determination in the UN Security Council." He further urged: "There is no gain in delaying the decision. The UN has already been running Kosovo for eight years. The status quo is not sustainable."
EU foreign ministers are to discuss Kosovo at an informal meeting on 30-31 March 2007.
The UN Security Council vote on a resolution concerning Kosovo is expected by April-May this year, but may be delayed due to the differing opinions held.
