German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier briefs the media on his way to a meeting with International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Mohamed ElBaradei in Vienna's United Nations headquarters January 17, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BERLIN, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- The majority of European Union (EU) member states are to recognize the independence of Kosovo, and Germany would follow suit, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier indicated in a radio interview on Sunday.

    In an interview with public broadcaster Deutschlandfunk, Steinmeier, who chose his words with care, said history could not be stopped.

    Earlier last week, Kosovo's leaders announced plans to declare independence after Feb. 3, the date of the run-off in the Serbian presidential elections between incumbent Boris Tadic and nationalist Tomislav Nikolic.

    "Naturally we are preparing ourselves for the situation and naturally we know how we will have to react in this case," Steinmeier said.

    Steinmeier, who has been closely involved in EU attempts to reach a negotiated settlement with Serbia on the future status of the breakaway province, said a unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia by Kosovo was likely.

    Germany would react to such a declaration "in the way that the large, large majority of the EU member states will also do," he said.

    Most EU member states have indicated they will recognize an independent Kosovo, as has the United States, over the objections of Serbia and Russia.

    The EU is preparing a civil mission to take over from the current U.N. in Kosovo. It has also offered Serbia closer links with the EU if it is cooperative over Kosovo and in handing over those accused of war crimes during the Balkan wars.

    The German foreign minister said he was responding cautiously as he did not want to exacerbate the pre-election situation in Serbia.