BERLIN (Agencies) -- 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, Xinhua reported.

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 UN 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.
--Bulgaria will not immediately recognize Kosovo independence: president
Bulgaria will not recognize Kosovo independence immediately, President Georgy Parvanov said also on Sunday, calling on the EU to adopt a common position on the subject, AFP reported.
""Bulgaria will not be among the countries to immediately recognize Kosovo,"" Parvanov told a press conference, one year after beginning his second mandate as president.
""We want the European Union to adopt a common position on the Balkans... We need a solution that guarantees stability in the region, including good relations between neighbors,"" he added.