Czech foreign minister warns against one-sided move on Kosovo

Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg has said it would be imprudent for ethnic Albanian leaders to declare Kosovo's independence ahead of an agreement. Mr. Schwarzenberg issued the warning at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Portugal where they are trying to forge a united front on the future of Kosovo. Serbian and Kosovo officials have been holding talks to settle the future status of the province but have made scant progress. The US has now said that it would recognize Kosovo should its ethnic Albanian leaders declare independence out of frustration at the lack of progress. Minister Schwarzenberg said a one-sided move would create much enmity and could spark a new wave of violence in the Balkans. The talks between Belgrade and Pristina are being supervised by Russia, the United States and the 27 member EU. Russia is firmly backing its ally Serbia while the EU remains divided over the issue.