Speaking at a news conference here on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the negotiations on Kosovo's status should continue. Any compromise should satisfy both the Albanian population of Kosovo and the Serb population, he said, quoted by BTA.

Any unilateral proclamation of Kosovo's independence and any support for this process extended by members of the international community is not in accordance with the principles of international law and is unethical, Putin said. Russia will not support such a solution to the matter.

Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov said it is very important for Bulgaria that the Kosovo issue does not create a dividing line between EU member states.

"We are aware, and have warned repeatedly, of the risks of a forced decision about Kosovo," Purvanov said. He recalled that a meeting between Bulgaria, Romania and Greece was aimed to work out a coordinated position and to ensure that the interests of all interested parties are taken into account.