The political leaders of the southern Serbian province of Kosovo called on the European Union on Monday to increase its support of the Albanian majority population's bid for independence, DPA reported. Kosovo's leaders said the EU and the entire international community needs to make a greater effort in supporting independence for the province, which the politicians say they are ready to proclaim. "Kosovo's status should be decided immediately. We are asking the EU for a more dynamic approach towards Kosovo's independence, or its recognition. We are ready to declare independence," Kosovo Prime Minister Agim Ceku told reporters. Both the EU and United States backed a plan presented earlier in the year by United Nations Kosovo envoy Martti Ahtisaari, calling for internationally-supervised independence for Kosovo, but Russia's refusal of the plan blocked procedures within the UN Security Council for approving it. Russia backs Serbia's stance that independence is unacceptable and that the solution must be one of compromise between Belgrade and Pristina. As a result of Russia's unwavering stance, new talks between Serbian and Albanian officials began last week, after negotiations mediated by the UN for much of last year proved futile. In the new set of talks, mediated by envoys representing the US, Russia and EU, both sides continue to show no willingness to compromise on their opposing stances.
