Kosovo officials have claimed that Kosovo’s independence declaration will come in first few months of 2008.

Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu, 56, said that no date has been fixed, but, he insists, “The process needs to come to an end as soon as possible.”

The declaration will come once the ethnic-Albanian majority province has fully prepared its legislation and governing structures for the change.

Sejdiu is also waiting for results of next week’s meeting of the United Nations Security Council that is due to discuss a report on the status issue by negotiators from the EU, Russia and the United States.

Sejdiu said, “All the preparations we’re making now are connected to the tasks Kosovo has to accomplish related to its constitutional and legal infrastructure.”

“The issue, of course, is also connected to the general will of the international community to quickly and positively recognize Kosovo’s independence. We think there will be more dynamic developments, in terms of Security Council recommendations, after it meets on December 19th.”

The president concedes mending ties with Kosovo Serbs “won’t be easy.”

“Time will be needed to encourage them. This will be the responsibility of the Albanian majority, as well as of institutions and international mechanisms,” Sejdiu said.

“Coordinated steps are necessary for (Kosovo Serbs) to be able to live their own lives, to come out from that feeling of self-isolation and non integration that is a direct consequence of pressure coming from Belgrade. The north is a part of Kosovo, a part of its complete territorial integrity and as such, it is untouchable in the sense of legislative and international protection,” he added.

Talking about the possible consequences for Kosovo, Sejdiu said that a combination of public determination and NATO backing mean Kosovo is prepared for anything.

“Kosovo can live without the economic links it currently has with Serbia,” he said.

“Serbia is trying to test our sustainability; whether we’ll have the alternative channels and internal forces needed to resist whatever blockade Serbia imposes. We’re ready.”

He continued, “The citizens of Kosovo know that you can’t put a price on independence. And if Serbia tries to use violence in Kosovo, through military or intelligence pressure, who will it have to confront? NATO forces in Kosovo have given strong guarantees that they will not allow any use of violence.”