By KUNA
Brussels : The European Union said Friday that the decision to recognize the independence of Kosovo is a matter for national governments of EU member states to decide.
The breakaway province of Kosovo is expected to declare independence from Serbian rule on Sunday.
Recognition of Kosovo “depends on national governments. It is a national decision-making process,” sources from the EU Presidency currently held by Slovenia told reporters here today.
The Council of EU Foreign Ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday “will take note of it and express its assessment of the situation if and when there is proclamation of independence,” said the sources speaking on condition of anonymity.
Analysts opine that a majority of the 27 members of the EU will recognize Kosovo’s independence, while the leadership in Kosovo expects about 100 countries around the world will give recognition.
Kosovo, whose 90 percent population of around two million is made up of Albanian Muslims, is under an UN administration since 1999 when NATO air bombings drove out Serbian forces who were massacring the Kosovar Albanians.
Serbia and its close ally Russia are vehemently opposed to Kosovo’s independence arguing that it will set a precedence for other separatist movements around the world.
The EU Presidency sources said the planned EU police and justice mission to Kosovo is in its “final stages,” awaiting the adoption of certain legal documents and the political decision.