(PRISTINA) - The European Union on Thursday urged Kosovo for patience and called on its leaders to pursue reform while awaiting the International Court of Justice.

"Now we will have to wait for the ICJ to consider its position," EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said during his first visit to Pristina since Kosovo unilaterally proclaimed its independence from Serbia in February.

e's verdict on its independence declaration.

He said that the regime Pristina had to show its "determination" for implementing reforms and foster economic and social development in order to improved living standards of the population.

"In the meantime, the best medicine for Kosovo to move forward is indeed to go forward with patience," he said.

Such moves would "enhance Kosovo's credibility in the eyes of the whole European Union and the international community," Rehn told reporters after meeting Kosovo top officials.

The UN General Assembly on Wednesday approved Serbia's proposal to ask the ICJ to rule whether Kosovo's unilateral secession from Belgrade was in accordance with the international law.

"Let the legal process start and be concluded. In the meantime the real life continues," Rehn said.

Rehn encouraged Kosovo to "continue on the road of political stability and on the road of ensuring democratic rights of all citizens of Kosovo and facilitating better economic progress."

The European Union pledged assistance to Kosovo of some 120 million euros in 2008 to be used for political, economic and social development.

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.

But Serbia, backed by its ally Russia, has rejected the move as illegal and considers Kosovo its southern province.

Text and Picture Copyright 2008 AFP. All other Copyright 2008 EUbusiness Ltd. All rights reserved. This material is intended solely for personal use. Any other reproduction, publication or redistribution of this material without the written agreement of the copyright owner is strictly forbidden and any breach of copyright will be considered actionable.