BRUSSELS, June 20 (Xinhua) -- European Union top foreign policy chief Javier Solana welcomed here on Friday UN chief's plan to restructure the civilian presence in Kosovo.

    His remarks came after the United Nations Security Council session decided to reconfigure the UN mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), which has been deployed in Kosovo since 1999.

    "I welcome the report by the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on UNMIK and his intention to reconfigure the international civilian presence in Kosovo," Solana said in a statement.

    He said the UN chief "has our full support," pointing out that the United Nations "has made commendable work in Kosovo since 1999but due to changed circumstances the international presence now has to be adjusted."

    "Let me also reiterate the EU's commitment to play a leading role in Kosovo, in particular in the area of rule of law. Reconfiguration of the civilian presence will allow for the EULEX mission, in the framework of the UNSC 1244, to intensify its deployment and to move towards assuming its operational functions," he said.

    But Serbian President Boris Tadic rejected on Friday Ban's plan to restructure the UNMIK and enhance the role of the EU in the breakaway province.

    "The Republic of Serbia cannot endorse the secretary-general's report," Tadic told the UN Security Council, saying Tadic said Serbia believed that the UN mission has not been accomplished.

    Last week, Ban unveiled plans to restructure the world body's presence in Kosovo, saying that the EU will "gradually assume increasing operational responsibilities in the areas of international policing, justice and customs throughout Kosovo."

    The EU has desired to send a civilian mission of more than 2,000 police, judges and other legal personnel to Kosovo, which unilaterally declared independence in February.

    But the mission has not received clear authorization from the United Nations.