The head of diplomacy of the European Union, Josep Borrell, has welcomed the agreement between the European bloc and Kosovo for the first steps towards the de-escalation of the situation in the north of Kosovo.

“We expect that Kosovo will take other positive steps and continue progress in this direction,” Borrell wrote on Twitter, adding that the work with the parties will continue in the framework of the dialogue for the normalization of relations.

I welcome Kosovo's commitment to the arrangement we reached on first steps for deescalation. We expect #Kosovo to take further positive steps and continue to advance in this direction.

We will carry on working in the EU-facilitated dialogue with the parties with @miroslavlajcak

— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) July 12, 2023

On July 10, Kosovo and the EU reached agreement on the first steps towards de-escalation. However, they were made public the day after.

International factor has asked Kosovo and Serbia to reduce tensions and Pristina to organize new elections. Even earlier, Kosovo has not expressed against holding elections in the municipalities in the north – inhabited by a majority of Serbs – but state officials have requested that they be prepared so that there is no boycott.

The last elections in the north, those of April when the new Albanian presidents were elected, were boycotted by the Serbian parties and population.