(ANSA) - BRUXELLES, 31 GEN - Spain asked the European Union to exclude Kosovo from the enlargement process, but the informal paper sent from Madrid to Brussels "doesn't make much difference to the Commission document", to be published on 6th February, which "covers the whole region" of the Western Balkans, Kosovo included. This is how the European Commission answers to the request claimed by Madrid. The EU Enlargement strategy will involve Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo.

"Madrid and the other 27 European countries are free to suggest changes to the strategy for the Western Balkans," the spokesperson for the European External Action Service, Maja Kocijancic, stressed. The opinion of EU governments is "normal" in the run-up to a new policy paper, the EU Commission spokesperson, Margaritis Schinas, reiterated.

Spain is one of the five EU countries that do not recognize the independence of Pristina and stressed that " Kosovo is not part of the enlargement process and has its own differentiated framework". On the other hand, Slovakia, one of the other EU states denying Kosovo's independence, has approved the Commission plan. (ANSA).