EU, NATO launch Ahtisaari plan implementation

PanARMENIAN.Net - The International Steering Group on Kosovo (ISG) began its formative meeting in Vienna on Thursday.



Main task of the ISG will be to monitor the plan presented by UN Kosovo negotiator Martti Ahtisaari by the authorities of the newly independent former Serbian province.



Ahtisaari envisaged the formation of the ISG in his status proposal which foresaw internationally monitored independence for Kosovo with special protection mechanisms for the Serbian minority population and Serbian cultural heritage.



The ISG meets at Italy's initiative and will comprise of representatives from the EU, NATO, but members of the Kosovo Contact Group - but without Contact Group member Russia which does not participate because of its opposition to Kosovo's independence.



The Contact Group, with its members Russia, Germany, France, Britain, Italy and the United States has been the most important group to deal with the issue.



Other states like Austria, Australia, Sweden, Finland, Japan or Switzerland were also invited to participate in ISG, the AFP reports.



Proclaimed on February 17, Kosovo's independence was recognized by the U.S., EU, some European powers and Turkey as well as by a number of Muslim states.