(PRISTINA) - The European Union Thursday pledged assistance to Kosovo of some 120 million euros in 2008 to be used for political, economic and social development of the territory that declared independence earlier this year.

"With more then 120 million euros, exactly close to 123 million euros, the EU helps Kosovo to develop a stable and peaceful multi-ethnic society based on the rule of law," EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said during his first visit to Pristina.

The EU's aid to Kosovo is also in order "to strengthen its institutions and to make further progress in economic and social development which is certainly needed dearly," Rehn said.

Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority proclaimed independence from Serbia on February 17, a move that has been recognised by 48 countries, including most of the EU members and the United States.

Serbia, which considers the territory as a heartland of its history and culture, and its ally Russia have rejected the move as illegal.

Rehn stressed that the pledged assistance signalled the EU's deepening engagement in Kosovo.

"I have come to Kosovo to show that the European Union cares about Kosovo's European future," he said.

The UN General Assembly on Wednesday approved Serbia's proposal to ask the International Court of Justice to rule whether Kosovo's unilateral secession was in accordance with the international law.

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