EU urges Kosovo not to rush towards independence

By Mark John

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union foreign ministers urged Kosovo on Monday 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 Dec. 10 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 coordinated with the international community," British Europe Minister Jim Murphy told reporters, arriving for an EU meeting.

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt urged Thaci not to stoke tensions in the ethnically divided province and said any hasty moves could lead to Kosovo being isolated.

"Mr Thaci has to understand there is a difference between being a politician in opposition and a responsible prime minister," said Bildt.

"I don't think they (Kosovars) want to be independent from the international community," he said.

Pristina would continue to need international help for years to come, he said.