Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, has called on the European Union to remove the measures, as he called them, unjust and punitive towards Kosovo, as well as reiterated that the Government is open to holding new elections in the north of the country.

Speaking to Kosovapress news agency on August 10, Kurti said that the measures are part of the “asymmetry in reports” and that “the sooner they end, the better.”

“We are doing everything we can and know, but our European partners and allies should also improve their attitude towards Kosovo as soon as possible, since a democratic and progressive Republic like Kosovo deserves to be helped with everything they can and not to have punitive measures”, he stressed.

Early elections in the four municipalities in the north of Kosovo – Leposaviq, Zubin Potok, Zveçan and North Mitrovica – have been requested by the international community for the extension of the situation in the north, which has worsened two months ago.

In these municipalities inhabited by a majority of Serbs, the new mayors who emerged from the elections boycotted by Serbian Lista – the largest party of Serbs in Kosovo – are Albanians.

Local Serbs have been protesting since May 29 against their entry into municipal facilities.

Kurti said that the best way to call new elections is through Article 72 of the Law on Local Self-Government, which enables the citizens of the respective municipalities to dismiss their mayors through a petition.

“We are open to this (election through Article 72). A working group has also been created that will regulate the administrative technical issues of the provisions of this article and this law. Now let’s wait for their work, the sooner the better”, emphasized Kurti.