EU cautious on Kosovo independence

European Union foreign ministers urged Kosovo today not to rush towards independence after a weekend election.

European Union foreign ministers urged Kosovo today not to rush towards independence after a weekend election.

Former guerrilla Hashim Thaci, who is expected to become prime minister of the majority ethnic Albanian province after Saturday's election, said parliament would declare independence after a December 10th deadline for international mediation efforts.

The United States backs independence for Kosovo, but the EU is divided on the issue. Some EU member states are reluctant to support any such move without the blessing of the United Nations or at least broad international support.

"Kosovo should have her independence (but) it shouldn't be an unmanaged unilateral declaration. It should be one that is co-ordinated with the international community," British Europe Minister Jim Murphy told reporters, arriving for an EU meeting.

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With results from 90 per cent of polling stations counted, independent election monitors said Mr Thaci's Democratic Party (PDK) had come first with 34 per cent, pushing the ruling Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) into second place.

Serbia has offered broad autonomy, but the Kosovo Albanians say they will accept nothing less than independence.