EC: No „feasibility" study for Kosovo

Had it used to word, the EC would have implicitly recognized Kosovo's secession from Serbia, which is being opposed by five EU members - Spain, Greece, Romania, Cyprus and Slovakia.

Instead, the EC issued a simple „study" on Kosovo's European progress, in which it proposed negotiating visa-free travel and a trade agreement with Kosovo.

"The absence of an agreed position on Kosovo's status does not prevent the EU from substantial engagement with Kosovo," says a study document presented by the European Commission in Brussels and Pristina on Wednesday on Kosovo's EU future.

"We propose to start a visa dialogue with Kosovo with the perspective of visa liberalisation when the conditions will be fulfilled," Pierre Mirel, the head of European Commission for Western Balkans said in Pristina.

"We also propose to start preparing for a trade agreement."

Mirel said the new agenda for Kosovo was supported by the five countries not recognizing Kosovo.

In a separate, 2009 Progress Report, the Commission urged Kosovo to do more to reform its judiciary, fight corruption and organised crime.

"The weak rule of law, widespread corruption, and uncertainty over property rights continued to be major impediments to economic development," it said.

A 40 percent unemployment rate has remained unchanged since 2008. Around 30,000 young people enter the job market every year and many of them continue to leave the country and find work abroad, says the report.