Belgrade, 27 October, 2006 - Kosovo's independence will not jeopardize regional stability and co-operation, said Erhard Busek, the Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact for South East Europe.

"The region will be more stable if we move toward such solution," Busek said, adding that Serbia would also benefit from timely solution to Kosovo's issue. The settlement will speed up the European integration of Serbia. As regards other Balkan countries, for example Macedonia, the situation will be clearer. As regards Kosovo, it will no longer be a "black hole" in Europe, Busek said.

He stressed that perspective of the entire region is to join the European Union, adding that stability in the region has been improved in the past seven years.