The European Parliament on Thursday passed a resolution to urge all European Union (EU) member states that have not recognized Kosovo independence to do so.
Kosovo's ethnic Albanian authorities unilaterally declared independence from Serbian in February 2008. EU member states Spain, Greece, Romania and Slovakia have not recognized Kosovo's independence.
The resolution welcomes the Serbian government's agreement to the deployment throughout the territory of Kosovo of the EU rule- of-law mission, EULEX.
The resolution asks the EU special representative in Kosovo to ensure that the Kosovo government promotes the participation of Kosovo Serbs in the political, economic and social life of Kosovo, including by means of specific economic development measures for the Mitrovica region, a Serb-dominated town.
The resolution underlines the need for a multi-ethnic police force in all areas of Kosovo and welcomes the return of some Serb officers to the Kosovo Police. The Kosovo authorities are urged to support the reintegration of those police officers who have yet to return.
The resolution was adopted with 424 votes in favour, 133 against and 24 abstentions in a plenary session in Strasbourg, France.