EU presents more Balkans measures as Kosovo tensions simmer

(BRUSSELS) - The European Union made yet more proposals Wednesday to try to ensure stability in the Balkans, amid simmering regional tensions fuelled by Kosovo's decision to declare independence.

The catalogue of measures, some of which were already on the table for discussion, came with an appeal to Serbia to set aside its anger over losing Kosovo and heed the "silent majority" of its citizens who want to join the EU.

The European Commission, the EU's executive arm and holder of its purse strings, outlined its "next steps for promoting the European course of the Western Balkans region," with incentives for six Balkans countries.

The catalogue of measures, which also concern Kosovo, are in keeping with EU policy to keep the lid on tensions that, in the 1990s, boiled over and tore former Yugoslavia apart while Europe watched on and failed to act.

"There's no doubt that 2008 will be a decisive year for the Balkans," EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn told reporters as he made them public in Brussels.

The plans include initiatives for promoting the development of civil society in the Balkans, including freeing up visa requirements and a virtual doubling in the number of scholarships on offer to students.

They are aimed at enhancing economic and social development, and would see a sharp increase in lending to the region by the European Investment Bank.

EU Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot also presented a project to extend Europe's main road and rail arteries to the states; Albania, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia.

Kosovo's declaration of independence on February 17 triggered a global diplomatic split with Serbia and its ally Russia on one side, and Kosovo's backers including the United States and most European powers on the other.

Most EU states have recognised Kosovo or plan to do so, and the bloc as a whole has begun deploying a vast police and justice mission there, despite criticism from Serbia.

Serbia has been closely aided by Russia in its quest to keep Kosovo, and the EU fears Belgrade might turn more to Moscow in the future, or that the instability caused by Kosovo's move to break away could affect its neighbours.

Rehn urged Serbia to focus on its European future, notably by fulfilling the conditions necessary to sign a key trade and aid pact on closer EU ties.

"A great majority of Serbian people consistently support European membership," he said. "It should be a realistic expectation that the Serbian government listens to this silent majority."

Serbia has initialed but not signed a so-called Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) -- a first step for Balkans states to join the EU -- but Brussels says Belgrade is technically ready to conclude it.

"We are on standby. We are ready once Serbia is ready, by reaffirming its European perspective," Rehn said. "Once both sides are ready to push the button, we will move forward."

The Netherlands has so far blocked attempts to sign it because of Serbia's failure to hand over UN war crimes suspects, like former Bosnian Serb military chief Ratko Mladic, who has been indicted for genocide.

In an effort to keep Serbia on its side as Kosovo broke away, the commission in January and February announced talks on a visa-free dialogue with Belgrade and offered an interim EU agreement as presidential elections were held.