President of the European Council Charles Michel supported the idea of an international conference for Kosovo and Serbia, aiming to reduce tensions between them.

Michel made the comments on the eve of a summit of the EU, which is taking place today and tomorrow in Brussels.

“I want to say that we also support the idea of organizing, as soon as possible, a conference – together with some EU member states,” said Michel, emphasizing the need for coordination with the United States.

“I think it is time to have a global approach and take clear steps towards normalization [of Kosovo-Serbia relations],” said Michel.

“This is very important because we have said that we want to make maximum efforts to do something for the Western Balkans, together with the Western Balkans,” he added.

The idea of holding an international conference for Kosovo and Serbia was put forward on June 27 by the Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama. On that day, Rama held talks in Brussel with senior European officials, including Michel.

Tensions between Kosovo and Serbia have been increased by the situation in northern Kosovo – an area predominantly inhabited by Serbs.

For over a month now, local residents there have been protesting against the Albanian mayors elected in the April 23 elections.

Their protests have escalated into violent clashes between Serbian demonstrators and NATO’s KFOR troops.

There have also been reports of grenade attacks and other incidents in that area.

Kosovo and Serbia have blamed each other for the situation, while the international community has primarily held Kosovo responsible.

Earlier, the EU came up with a plan to reduce tensions, which includes, among other things, the holding of new elections in the north and the withdrawal of Kosovo’s special police unit from the area. The plan also requires Serbia to ensure the participation of Serbs in any potential new elections. The Serbian community boycotted the April elections.

Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti has expressed support for holding new elections, but, as he has stated, within the legal framework of the state.

Kurti consistently insists that he “cannot compromise with the democratic republic”.