EU unites on Kosovo despite split on recognition

By Ingrid Melander and Mark John

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union pledged on Monday that the entire Western Balkans would one day join the bloc and vowed to work for stability in the region while leaving each member free to decide on recognising Kosovo's independence.

France immediately announced that it was recognising the new state, which declared its secession from Serbia on Sunday, and others were expected to follow within hours.

"The (EU) Council notes that member states will decide, in accordance with national practice and international law, on their relations with Kosovo," a joint statement adopted by the 27 EU foreign ministers said.

The ministers stressed that Kosovo was a unique case which did not set a precedent for other breakaway regions in the world or call into question international legal principles because of the Yugoslav conflicts of the 1990s.

Spain, grappling with its own Basque and Catalan separatist movements, vowed not to recognise the new state but helped clinch a compromise in the EU by reaffirming the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

EU president Slovenia said it expected many of the 27 member states to recognise Kosovo's declaration of independence.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said President Nicolas Sarkozy had written a letter of recognition which would be transmitted to the president of Kosovo on Monday.

Highlighting differences, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos told reporters earlier: "The government of Spain will not recognise the unilateral act proclaimed yesterday by the assembly of Kosovo.