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'Early independence' for Kosovo 'Early independence' for Kosovo
(about 1 hour later)
Kosovo will declare independence from Serbia "much earlier" than the expected month of May, a spokesman says.Kosovo will declare independence from Serbia "much earlier" than the expected month of May, a spokesman says.
The statement comes as a UN deadline for agreement on the future of Kosovo is set to expire, after months of talks which have failed to break a deadlock.The statement comes as a UN deadline for agreement on the future of Kosovo is set to expire, after months of talks which have failed to break a deadlock.
Kosovo is still a province of Serbia, but ethnic-Albanian leaders there have threatened to declare independence after Monday's deadline passes.Kosovo is still a province of Serbia, but ethnic-Albanian leaders there have threatened to declare independence after Monday's deadline passes.
EU diplomats say they are close to reaching a unified position on Kosovo.EU diplomats say they are close to reaching a unified position on Kosovo.
Foreign ministers from the bloc are meeting in Brussels ahead of a leaders' summit on Friday.Foreign ministers from the bloc are meeting in Brussels ahead of a leaders' summit on Friday.
Map showing distribution of Albanians and Serbs in Kosovo
EU member states have been divided over whether to recognise a Kosovan declaration of independence, which had been widely expected in May.EU member states have been divided over whether to recognise a Kosovan declaration of independence, which had been widely expected in May.
Kosovan government spokesman Skender Hyseni said a declaration of independence was "not an issue of if, but when".Kosovan government spokesman Skender Hyseni said a declaration of independence was "not an issue of if, but when".
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"Kosovo will look at its own agenda, but it will certainly be much earlier than May," Mr Hyseni said."Kosovo will look at its own agenda, but it will certainly be much earlier than May," Mr Hyseni said.
Russia, a strong backer of Serbia, has warned against a unilateral declaration of independence.Russia, a strong backer of Serbia, has warned against a unilateral declaration of independence.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said recognition of a unilateral declaration of independence would "create a chain reaction throughout the Balkans and other areas of the world".Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said recognition of a unilateral declaration of independence would "create a chain reaction throughout the Balkans and other areas of the world".
But Kosovo's ethnic-Albanian leaders have support from many European countries and the United States in their push for independence from Serbia.But Kosovo's ethnic-Albanian leaders have support from many European countries and the United States in their push for independence from Serbia.
EU deliberationsEU deliberations
Ahead of Monday's EU meeting in Brussels, Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn said there was nearly consensus among EU members over Kosovo - and that only Cyprus still wanted a UN Security Council resolution before accepting a declaration of independence, Reuters news agency reported.Ahead of Monday's EU meeting in Brussels, Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn said there was nearly consensus among EU members over Kosovo - and that only Cyprus still wanted a UN Security Council resolution before accepting a declaration of independence, Reuters news agency reported.
Greece, Slovakia and Spain had earlier also been reluctant to endorse a unilateral declaration of independence from Kosovo, fearing it might set a dangerous precedent for separatist movements closer to home.Greece, Slovakia and Spain had earlier also been reluctant to endorse a unilateral declaration of independence from Kosovo, fearing it might set a dangerous precedent for separatist movements closer to home.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon set a deadline of 10 December for mediators from the "troika" of the EU, US and Russia to broker a deal between Kosovo and Serbia, but the talks failed.UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon set a deadline of 10 December for mediators from the "troika" of the EU, US and Russia to broker a deal between Kosovo and Serbia, but the talks failed.
A report from the mediators delivered on Friday said: "Neither party was willing to concede its position on the fundamental question of sovereignty on Kosovo".A report from the mediators delivered on Friday said: "Neither party was willing to concede its position on the fundamental question of sovereignty on Kosovo".
Nato - fearing a violent Serbian reaction - has said it will keep 16,000 troops in Kosovo to deter any clashes.Nato - fearing a violent Serbian reaction - has said it will keep 16,000 troops in Kosovo to deter any clashes.
Ethnic-Albanian students are due to march from Pristina University to Kosovo's parliament in a show of support for independence.Ethnic-Albanian students are due to march from Pristina University to Kosovo's parliament in a show of support for independence.
Discrimination fearsDiscrimination fears
The UN's top administrator in Kosovo, Martti Ahtisaari, has put forward a plan offering Kosovo "supervised independence".The UN's top administrator in Kosovo, Martti Ahtisaari, has put forward a plan offering Kosovo "supervised independence".
Kosovo's Albanian leaders want nothing less than independenceKosovo's Albanian leaders want nothing less than independence
The plan - accepted by the ethnic Albanians - would mean international agencies gradually steering Kosovo's institutions towards independence, while safeguarding the rights and property of the Serbian minority.The plan - accepted by the ethnic Albanians - would mean international agencies gradually steering Kosovo's institutions towards independence, while safeguarding the rights and property of the Serbian minority.
But Serbia has rejected the plan, insisting that Kosovo must remain an integral part of Serbia.But Serbia has rejected the plan, insisting that Kosovo must remain an integral part of Serbia.
Belgrade also fears discrimination against ethnic Serbs would go unpunished in an independent Kosovo.Belgrade also fears discrimination against ethnic Serbs would go unpunished in an independent Kosovo.
Nato was criticised after it failed to prevent riots by ethnic Albanians in 2004 in which Serbs were attacked. Nineteen people died in the violence.Nato was criticised after it failed to prevent riots by ethnic Albanians in 2004 in which Serbs were attacked. Nineteen people died in the violence.
Though technically part of Serbia, Kosovo has been administered by the UN for the last eight years.Though technically part of Serbia, Kosovo has been administered by the UN for the last eight years.
Belgrade's security forces were driven out of Kosovo by a Nato bombing campaign in 1999, launched to stop a violent Serbian crackdown on ethnic Albanians.Belgrade's security forces were driven out of Kosovo by a Nato bombing campaign in 1999, launched to stop a violent Serbian crackdown on ethnic Albanians.
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