The statement was made by Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot, who is chairing an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers at St. Gerlach Castle in Valkenburg near Maastricht.
The main topic of the meeting this morning was the EU's future relations with Serbia and Montenegro. EU
External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten presented the proposal to introduce the new approach.
EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Defence Policy Javier Solana said that the EU would continue with its current policy towards Serbia and Montenegro.
The EU is concerned about lack of any progress in the European integration of Serbia and Montenegro, with two republics having separate economies, different currencies, separate customs services etc.
Asked why the EU considered the preservation of the state union important, if it was not wanted by its member-states, Bot said this was important because of political stability in the region, and economic reasons.
Speaking about Kosovo, he said it was important for Kosovo Serbs to take part in the elections scheduled for October.
Bot stressed the need for Kosovo to meet the necessary standards, particularly with regard to minority
rights and refugee return, and added that Kosovo had a European future.