BRUSSELS, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission, the executive body of the European Union (EU), on Friday welcomed UN envoy Martti Ahtisaari's proposal on the status of Kosovo.

    "I welcome (former Finnish) President Ahtisaari's draft comprehensive proposal for a status settlement for Kosovo," said EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn in a brief statement.

    "I fully support his intention to engage the parties in serious and intensive work on this basis to achieve a sustainable settlement," Rehn said.

    He urged both Serbia and pro-independence Kosovo to show constructive engagement and flexibility.

    Kosovo, a Serbian province, was put under UN administration in 1999 at the end of NATO airstrikes against the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

    "I also expect both parties to demonstrate responsibility and flexibility, and to understand the need for a realistic compromise," said Rehn.

    He said the EU is committed to "the European perspective" -- a Brussels jargon for EU membership -- of the entire region of the Western Balkans.

    Ahtisaari presented his proposal to Belgrade and Pristina on Friday. It has to be approved by the UN Security Council.

    There are fears that the proposal, which opens way for independence of the Serbian province, may create divisions within the UN Security Council.

    In a more measured response, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana refrained from welcoming the proposal itself.

    "I express my appreciation for the efforts of the UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari and welcome the presentation of his draft comprehensive proposal for a Kosovo status settlement," Solana said.

    He also urged Belgrade and Pristina to "engage actively with Martti Ahtisaari on the basis of his proposal."