Crisis in Kosovo demands mediation, EU warns Serbia

EU Foreign Ministers yesterday signalled to the Serbian authorities that they must accept international mediation on the Kosovo crisis and conform to international human rights standards.

The debate followed a weekend of further violence in the rebel Serbian province which borders Albania. The tough EU stance will be reflected at a meeting of the Contact Group, including the US and Russia, on April 29th at which further sanctions against obdurate Belgrade could be considered.

Serbs voted by 95 per cent majority last week to reject foreign involvement in the crisis.

"Belgrade had better take note - the outside world is not going to let this one go," said British Foreign Secretary, Mr Robin Cook. "The EU is going to make sure ethnic confrontation is not going to be allowed to continue in any part of Europe."

But the EU reiterated its opposition to all "terrorist acts" and its support for the continued territorial integrity of the Former Republic of Yugoslavia - a warning to Albanian secessionists that the mission of the EU and OSCE special representative, Mr Felipe Gonzalez, does not involve uncritical support for their concerns.

A debate on proposals from the Trade Commissioner, Sir Leon Brittan, to start EU talks with the US on a further round of mutual trade barrier reductions was deadlocked.

France objects to the proposals for a new "New Trans-Atlantic Agenda", arguing that the EU's emphasis in trade talks should be on the need for a new world round under the auspices of the World Trade Organisation rather than in the proliferation of bilateral agreements.

Trade will be discussed at the EU-US summit in London on May 18th, but not in the framework of the Commission proposals.

Ministers welcomed the success of the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, in his recent Middle East visit in persuading Palestinians and Israelis to attend talks in London next week.