Any agreement on the future status of Kosovo must ensure that there is no reversion to the pre-March 1999 situation when the province was an integral part of Serbia, EU leaders said yesterday.
With the UN to decide in the autumn whether to start negotiations on Kosovo's final status, the European Council said that any solution must be "fully compatible with European values and norms". It must be based on "multi-ethnicity and on full respect for human rights, including the right for all refugees and displaced persons".
There should also be no partition of Kosovo nor any union with another country - a reference to Serbia and Albania. "The territorial integrity of neighbouring countries must be fully respected."
The conclusion notes that "Kosovo will, in the medium term, continue to need civilian and military international presence to ensure security and in particular protection for minorities, to help with the continuing implementation of standards and to exercise appropriate supervision of compliance with the provisions contained in the status agreement." The EU is willing "to play a full part".
Last night's summit conclusions said the future of the western Balkan states (Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia and Bosnia) lay with the EU. However there was no reference to any timetable to begin accession talks.
There are growing fears in the western Balkan states that the EU constitution rejections in France and the Netherlands may damage their membership prospects.
Voters in both countries cited concerns over EU enlargement among the reasons for voting No.
On the Middle East, the council reiterated that the EU "will not recognise any change to the 1967 borders" of Israel - the situation prior to the Israeli annexation of the West Bank and Gaza. Referring to Israel's plan to leave Gaza, the council "commends the political courage shown by the leaders of the two sides" on the issue.
It called for a halt to Israeli settlements on Palestinian territory and "urges Israel to dismantle illicit settlement outposts. Settlement policy is an obstacle to peace and threatens to make any solution based on the co-existence of two States physically impossible."
The council also expressed concern about Israel's continued construction of its "security wall" in and around East Jerusalem. This is "contrary to the relevant provisions of international law".
The council also emphasised the importance of the Iraqi government playing a leading role in Iraq's reconstruction, with the EU providing advice and support.