EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton expressed some reserve on Monday as regards Kosovo's ambitions to start the process of European integration in the foreseeable future.

A long path lies ahead of Kosovo, and a number of steps need to be taken in the time to come, Ashton said responding to the question as to whether Kosovo can establish a contractual relationship with the EU and be granted a feasibility study just like other countries in the region.

After the agreement on regional cooperation was reached, Ashton said that it is of key importance that Kosovo can now speak on its own behalf. She recalled that the European Commission made public its intention to grant a feasibility study to Kosovo, but this does mean that this will automatically come true.

Ashton made the statement after the first meeting day of the Ministerial Council in Brussels, where the issue of Kosovo-Metohija was discussed, among other matters. Ministers should state their opinion on the feasibility study for Kosovo on Tuesday.