February 1, 2008 - 14:18 AMT
Romania opposes Kosovo independence
Romania's President Traian Basescu urged NATO allies Thursday to refrain from encouraging Kosovo's plans to declare independence from Serbia, saying more time should be given to find an agreement. He warned that a declaration of independence without an agreement with Serbia or full backing from the United Nations would violate international law and set a dangerous precedent for separatist groups elsewhere.

"What message are we sending to multiethnic societies, or to others that are facing ethnic issues?" Basescu said.

"We could be violating the UN charter and Helsinki Act which have guaranteed 60 years of peace in Europe," he continued.

Other European Union nations, including Spain, Cyprus and Slovakia, also have misgivings about independence for Kosovo, ITAR-TASS reports.