The EU has approved a civilian police and justice mission to help enforce the rule of law in Kosovo, which is poised to declare independence from Serbia.

The 2,000-strong mission will begin deploying to the region from next week.

The US and most EU states are preparing to recognise Kosovo quickly, but Serbia and Russia strongly oppose the move, which is widely expected on Sunday.

Earlier, Kosovo's PM sought to reassure the province's Serbian minority that it would not face discrimination.

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Speaking to reporters in Kosovo's capital Pristina, Hashim Thaci pledged that the rights of all communities, including Serbs, would be guaranteed.

He said no citizen of an independent Kosovo should feel discriminated against.

"In Kosovo, there will be security for all citizens. The government is committed to looking forward to the future and overcoming the sad past."

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