United States Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill said Kosovo will bear the consequences for the actions of the Government in the north of the country.
“We have made it very clear to Pristina that we oppose the actions of the Kurti Government. Secretary [of State, Antony] Blinken has also been very clear that there will be consequences in relations with Kosovo,” Hill told reporters in Belgrade.
The US Ambassador warned that the focus on the Brussel dialogue should not be lost, and added that the Western Balkans should move towards European integration.
Hill referred to the statements of the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who called on both Kosovo and Serbia to return to the European Union mediated dialogue towards the normalization of relations.
Blinken reiterated on May 31st that the decision of the Government of Kosovo to forcefully install new Albanian mayors in Serb-majority municipalities in the north escalated tensions “unnecessarily”.
He said such actions had been taken “against the advice of the United States and Kosovo’s European partners”.
Kurti expressed dissatisfaction over the statement, calling it “not only unfair and wrong and also hurtful, but at the same time, very naïve”, during an interview with the Guardian.
The opposition in Kosovo blamed Kurti for upsetting relations with its allies, especially the United States. Opposition representatives have called on the Prime Minister to show political prudence, change his approach and choose the future and the Euro-Atlantic path of Kosovo.
The new Albanian mayors of the municipalities of North Mitrovica, Zvečan, Zubin Potok and Leposavić were elected in the special local elections of April 23rd, which were boycotted by the ethnic Serb community.
Tensions increased on May 26th, with the new mayors entering the municipal buildings escorted by the Kosovo Police.
