Over 20 EU states said backing Kosovo independence

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Well over 20 of the EU's 27 states support recognising independence of the breakaway Serbian province of Kosovo, the Europe Minister said on Monday.

"There is a very big EU majority already for recognition ... certainly well above 20, but we haven't got to 27 yet," Jim Murphy told a news briefing after talks among EU ministers in Brussels.

Murphy added that it was up to individual states to recognise another state. "But in terms of managing this process, it's a much better outcome for everyone involved if there's maximum international unity," he said.

(Reporting by David Brunnstrom)