The European Union has called on Kosovo to immediately suspend police operations near municipal facilities in the north, and for the elected Albanian mayors to perform their functions from alternative locations.
In a statement issued by the European Union’s High Representative Josep Borrell, the violence that occurred in the north a few days ago has been condemned, and Kosovo is urged to take steps to reduce tensions.
“Extraordinary elections should be declared as soon as possible in all four municipalities, and they should be organized in an inclusive manner. We expect the Serbs of Kosovo to participate in them.”
Local Serbs have been protesting regularly since May 26th in Zvečan, Leposavić, and Zubin Potok, opposing the entry of newly elected Albanian mayors into municipal buildings.
On May 29th, the protests escalated into violence between members of the NATO mission in Kosovo, KFOR, and Serbian protesters.
“The European Union strongly condemns the violence against citizens, KFOR troops, law enforcement agencies, and the media in northern Kosovo. Violence could have been avoided, and it should be avoided in the future. The European Union strongly supports the KFOR mission and the EULEX mission in fulfilling their respective mandates,” the statement said.
“We call on both parties, Kosovo and Serbia, to take immediate and unconditional steps to calm the situation, to stop divisive rhetoric, and to refrain from any further uncoordinated actions. Calm must be urgently restored. The European Union is ready to implement strong measures. Failure to reduce tensions will have negative consequences.”
The international community has continuously called for steps to be taken to reduce tensions.
Some diplomats have also called for new elections to be held in the north.
Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani and Prime Minister Albin Kurti have indicated that such a move may be possible.
Regarding Serbia, the EU “expresses concern about the heightened readiness of Serbia’s armed forces.”
“The European Union expects Kosovo and Serbia to act responsibly and engage immediately in the EU-facilitated dialogue to find a solution for the situation in the north, which guarantees security and participation for all citizens. Such a move paves the way for the implementation of the Agreement towards normalization and its annex. This also includes, without any further delay and without preconditions, the work to establish the Association of Serb Majority Municipalities,” stated the European bloc’s call among other things.
Kosovo and Serbia reached an agreement on the Association in 2013 and later in 2015 on the principles for its establishment.
However, in 2015, the Constitutional Court of Kosovo found that the agreement was not fully in line with the Constitution.
Serbia insists that Kosovo implement the agreed-upon agreements, but the Government of Kosovo has declared its opposition to an ethnically-based association.
Kosovo and Serbia, with the mediation of the EU, initiated negotiations for the normalization of relations in 2011.
The parties have signed several agreements, but not all of them have been implemented.
