Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti has published eight points that, according to him, lead to de-escalation of the situation in four northern municipalities of Kosovo: North Mitrovica, Zvečan, Zubin Potok, and Leposavić.

Kurti stated that he proposed these points to High Representative of the European Union Josep Borrell last week when the latter suggested a “dialogue for de-escalation” of the situation in the northern part of Kosovo.

According to Prime Minister Kurti, the first point implies that Kosovo is ready to “reduce the presence of the Kosovo Police in municipal buildings and their surroundings”, but this can only happen if the violence in that region is reduced.

Another point involves full access to judicial processes for the main perpetrators of violence, with monitoring by EULEX and relevant human rights NGOs.

Another point includes early elections through a petition for the removal of the current mayors, which must be supported by at least 20% of the electorate in that region.

The final point involves the transfer of authority from the current mayors to the newly elected ones after the certification of election results.

Kurti stated that Serbia is also expected to withdraw violent protesters from municipal buildings, commit to cooperation in pretrial detention and judicial proceedings of violence perpetrators during protests in the north.

Furthermore, Kurti mentioned that Serbia should reduce the readiness of armed forces and “not obstruct or interfere in the right of Kosovo’s Serbian citizens and all political parties to participate freely, without intimidation, obligation, or corrupt influence, in the local election process in Kosovo”.

“We believe that urgent actions should be taken towards this goal, and we are eager and ready to engage in concrete steps that support the objectives of de-escalation and stability in the region,” wrote Kurti on Facebook.

• Kurti’s eight-point plan to de-escalate situation in North Kosovo

1) Decrease Kosova Police presence in and around municipal buildings gradually in proportion to reduction in violence;

2) Provide full access and monitoring, by EULEX and interested Human Rights NGOs, of judicial proceedings in relation to perpetrators of violence;

3) Organize early elections in the four northern municipalities when triggered by a recall petition supported by at least 20 percent of the electorate, as foreseen by Kosova law. Election date is to be set following a confirmation of having met the recall requirements by the President;

4) Instruct subsequently the four mayors in question to hand over their authority to the newly elected mayors after certification by the CEC in accordance with Kosova law.

Meanwhile, from Serbia we expect the following:

1) Withdraw violent protesters from the municipal buildings and surrounding areas;

2) Pledge to cooperate in detention and judicial processing of offenders by Kosova with EULEX monitoring and full due process guarantees;

3) Reduce readiness of the armed forces to a low level, no new troop movements, removal of 48 Forward Operating Bases situated along the border.

4) Refrain from impeding or interfering with the right of ethnic Serb citizens and of all political parties to freely participate, without intimidation, coercion, or corrupt influence, in the local electoral process.

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

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

The tensions between Kosovo and Serbia have escalated due to the situation in northern Kosovo, an area predominantly inhabited by Serbs.

For a month now, local residents there have been protesting against Albanian mayors who emerged from the elections held on April 23.

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.