The international community will soon end its supervision of Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia 3-1/2 years ago, the top diplomat in Pristina said on Tuesday.

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Even though Kosovo has an elected government, a Dutch diplomat retains ultimate political authority in Kosovo in the International Civilian Mission (ICO).

"We are now looking for steps to work towards ending the mandate of the ICO," said Pieter Feith, the ICO head. "There are no timelines for this but I can assure you that there is a broad consensus that this is going to happen sooner than later."

An international diplomat also holds the power to fire officials and overturn laws in Bosnia, another country that emerged from the violent 1990s breakup of Yugoslavia.

Feith spoke after representatives from most of the countries that recognise Kosovo, including the United States, Turkey and other EU members, met to discuss whether local authorities have honoured obligations such as respecting ethnic monitories and fostering democracy.

Diplomats say the ICO office may be closed by the end of 2012 unless the country is hit by any major violence or ethnic tensions.

The government of the country of 1.7 million people does not control its northern part where around 60,000 Kosovo Serbs refuse to deal with Kosovo institutions and regard Belgrade as their capital.

"There is broad agreement...that there will be no partition, that means the north will continue to stay with Kosovo, that there will be no violence, that neither (will) the north will end up as a frozen conflict," Feith said.

EULEX, the largest EU mission outside its member countries, is expected to remain in Kosovo to help law and order agencies. It also has some executive powers in cases such as war crimes, corruption and organised crime.

Source: Reuters

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