The German Embassy in Pristina stated that they “did not boycott” the official reception organized by the Presidency and the Prime Minister’s Office for Liberation Day on June 12^th.

The ambassadors of the QUINT states (United States, Germany, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom) were not seen at the event organized by President Vjosa Osmani and Prime Minister Albin Kurti to mark the 24^th anniversary of Kosovo’s liberation.

Media outlets in Kosovo reported that the ambassadors of the QUINT states boycotted the event.

“The German Embassy accepted the invitation to participate in this event and was officially represented by the Deputy Head of Mission, as has been the case on many occasions,” said the German Embassy in Pristina to Radio Free Europe.

Nevertheless, the embassy did not provide details on why the German Ambassador to Pristina, Jörn Rohde, did not attend the official reception.

This absence of the ambassadors of the QUINT states from the event comes at a time when the international community is urging the Government of Kosovo to calm the situation in the majority-Serb inhabited north. So far, the executive branch in Kosovo has not fulfilled the requests of its international partners.

Since May 26^th, tensions have escalated as newly elected Albanian mayors in the north entered municipal buildings under police escort, despite the opposition of local Serbs.

The United States and the European Union have presented three requests to Prime Minister Kurti: calming the situation in northern Kosovo, holding new elections in four municipalities in northern Kosovo, and returning to the dialogue for the normalization of Kosovo-Serbia relations.

On June 13^th, Kurti announced that he has presented a five-point plan to the international community for reducing tensions:

1. Rule of law in the four municipalities in the north, which implies identifying, prosecuting, and fairly judging all members of criminal groups who have attacked the police, NATO troops, and journalists.
2. Immediate withdrawal of violent groups from Kosovo’s territory and the prohibition of any criminal acts against Kosovo’s institutions.
3. Kosovo Police, NATO personnel, and EULEX to conduct joint security assessments to ensure a safe and risk-free environment for everyone.
4. The Government of Kosovo to coordinate with all stakeholders and announce early elections in the four municipalities in the north.
5. Kosovo and Serbia to return to the Brussels-mediated dialogue, and a high-level meeting to be held during this week.

President Vjosa Osmani has also expressed openness to holding elections in the north. However, to call for new elections, she stated that 20% of individuals on the voter list in northern Kosovo must sign a petition requesting the elections to be held.