The representatives of the QUINT countries in Kosovo, the USA, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany and France, asked the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, to take steps that would lead to the escalation of the situation in north of Kosovo.

The US ambassador, Jeffrey Hovenier, who attended the meeting, said that “there is an agreement that the escalation of the situation must happen, but I don’t know how it will happen.”

“We believe that it is not necessary for the elected mayors of the municipalities in the north to work every day in the municipal buildings. For a short term, we recommend for this to not be done,” said Hovenier.

According to him, the Government of Kosovo has been able to find ways for the mayors to swear in alternative buildings and avoid the conflict.

Hovenier added that such an approach should also be applied to their work. He declined to say whether Kurti has accepted this recommendation or not.

“We are concerned about the ongoing developments there and have asked the Prime Minister to take some steps to ensure that de-escalation is achieved,” he said.

A little later, the American ambassador wrote in a message on Twitter that “the US strongly condemns the violent actions of protesters today in Zveçan, including the use of explosives, against KFOR members.”

“We reiterate our call for an immediate halt to violence or actions that inflame tensions or incite conflict,” Hovenier said.