The European Liberal Democrat and Reform (ELDR) Party welcomes the proposal of UN Special Envoy, Martti Ahtisaari for shaping the future status of Kosovo which was presented in Serbia on Friday 2nd February 2007. Under Mr Ahtisaari’s plan, Kosovo would be allowed its own national symbols, including a flag and national anthem, and be able to apply for membership of international organisations such as the UN and develop further co-operation and integration with the EU, with a view to potential future membership of the Union. While this proposal gives a far greater level of self-government to Kosovo, it stops short of declaring full independence for the province.Commenting on Mr Ahtisaari’s plan, prior to her own visit to Kosovo at the end of February, ELDR Party President Annemie Neyts commented, “ELDR welcomes this proposal, which gives Kosovo recognition and the characteristics of a country in its own right and allows it to foster greater relations with international organisations. This is a significant, and not to be under-estimated break through. The ultimate goal must remain independence for Kosovo provided it respects human and minority rights as stated in the pan-liberal declaration concerning the future status of Kosovo adopted last year. I look forward to the day where both Kosovo and Serbia will be Member States of the European Union.” Mr Gjergj Dedaj, Political Leader of the Liberal Party of Kosovo (ELDR member party) also embraced the plan stating, “The project of Mr Ahtisaari is an important and good document for the future process of creating a new and democratic Kosovo and for stability, peace and progress in the whole of the Western Balkans region.“ The Liberal Party of Kosovo is the only political party of Kosovo affiliated to European and international political structures like ELDR and Liberal International. It intends to play a crucial role for integration of ethnic communities in all institutions of Kosovo.The European Liberal Democrats have been very involved over the last 15 years in helping Kosovo access a better future. Back in 1998, they called for immediate military intervention by Nato/WEU forces in Kosovo to halt the aggression of Milosevic. Last April, the ALDE group in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, ALDE in the European Parliament, the ELDR Party, and Liberal International, organised a joint conference on the future status of Kosovo at the Council of Europe which called for the recognition of Kosovo’s independence on condition that human and minority rights are respected, especially the rights of the Serb minority, and that Kosovo recognises that her existing frontiers are permanent.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------For more information, please contact Myriam Cornillet (mcornillet@eldr.org), 00 32 2 237 01 43 or 00 32 485 99 40 56.Note to the editor:The European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party, aisbl (ELDR Party) brings together 50 political parties with common liberal, democratic and reform ideals and is the forum for member parties to develop a co-ordinated policy.