Kosovan leaders vowed yesterday to declare independence early next year as the deadline for a settlement brokered by the United Nations expired without agreement.

Thousands of student demonstrators marched on the parliament building in Pristina to demand an immediate declaration of independence from Serbia and called on the international community to recognise the new state.

With the deadline expired, Kosovo said that it had begun “intense consultations” with the European Union and America to co-ordinate an independence declaration.

Skender Hyseni, a government spokesman, said that a declaration would come early next year — as early as January according to other government officials. “Kosovo is not going to wait too long,” he said.

Kosovo has been under UN administration since Nato forces intervened in 1999 to expel Serbian troops brutally suppressing ethnic Albanian independence ambitions in the province.

Serbia, however, has remained the legal sovereign power, refusing to give up the territory it regards as central to its cultural and historical identity. Kosovo in turn refused any settlement that did not grant it independence.

The passing of the deadline effectively ends the UN’s role in determining Kosovo’s future, throwing the ball to Europe, which is eager to reach resolution for the sake of regional stability.

European foreign ministers, meeting in Brussels yesterday, said that they had reached “virtual unanimity” on recognising an independent Kosovo, with only Cyprus out of the 27 member states still holding out. Cyprus, who fears the declaration could embolden its Turkish-ruled north to follow suit, said that recognising Kosovo would be “tantamount to shooting ourselves in the foot”.

The crowds that marched in Pristina yesterday waved banners reading, “Europe, show some unity,” recognition of their reliance on their foreign backers. Others read, “Serbia, burn in hell forever.”

Serbia, backed by Russia, has suggested a return to war if Kosovo breaks off. The Serbian Minister for Kosovo, Slobodan Samardzic, visited the Serb-dominated north of the province yesterday to establish a government office there. There are fears the Serb enclave could violently secede if Pristina declares independence.

Europe is hoping that Serbia’s desire to join the EU will prevent a return to violence. However, Bozidar Djelic, the Deputy Prime Minister, said yesterday: “There will be no trade of Kosovo for Europe, nor will Serbia ever accept it, and nobody’s offering it.”

Europe also risks further cooling its relationship with Russia, which yesterday reiterated warnings to Kosovo’s backers. “This will cause a chain reaction in the Balkans and other areas of the world and those making such plans must think very carefully about the consequences,” Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, said.

The demonstrators in Pristina were clear about their opinion of Moscow. “USA, Kick Putin Ass,” a banner read.

KEY DATES

— December 15-16 EU summit will debate and decide a joint position on Kosovo

— December 19 UN Security Council will discuss situation in Kosovo. Vojislav Kostunica, the Prime Minister of Serbia, and Agim Çeku, Kosovo’s outgoing Prime Minister, may address the meeting

— January 20 Serbian Presidential elections. Independence unlikely to precede this for fear of provoking hardliners among Serbian electorate

Sources: EU, UN

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