The United States, United Kingdom and Germany have called for the immediate release of three Kosovo border police officers, whom the authorities of Kosovo claim were abducted within the territory of Kosovo by Serbian forces.
Authorities in Serbia claim that they were “deep” within their territory when they were arrested.
The US envoy for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar told reporters on Friday that they have been following “the case of the arrest of the three Kosovo police officers”.
“There are two scenarios, one is that they were kidnapped from within the territory of Kosovo and taken to Serbia, or they unintentionally crossed the border and found themselves within the territory of Serbia. In either case, it is clear that these police officers had no intention of being in Serbia and should be released,” emphasized Escobar.
The United Kingdom’s Ambassador to Kosovo Nicholas Abbot stated through a Twitter update that his country calls for the “immediate release of three arrested Kosovo police officers on June 14th”.
“We call on Kosovo and Serbia to exercise maximum restraint, avoid unilateral actions, and take immediate steps to reduce tensions.”
The United Kingdom has reiterated its calls to Prime Minister Kurti for the mayors of the four northern municipalities to carry out their duties from alternative facilities and for the special unit of the Kosovo Police to be removed from the municipal buildings in the north. Additionally, snap elections and the establishment of the Association have been requested.
Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has urged Serbia and Kosovo “to do everything possible to calm the situation at the border”.
“This includes the unconditional release of the three Kosovo police officers. People in both countries need perspectives that the conflict has hindered for a long time,” Baerbock wrote on Twitter.
The Government of Kosovo believes that the Serbian authorities “abducted” the three police officers due to the arrest of Serbian citizen Milun Milenković by the Kosovo Police on June 13th, under suspicion of organizing violence against members of the NATO mission, KFOR, in northern Kosovo.
This predominantly Serbian-populated area has been tense since late May when the Kosovo Police assisted Albanian mayors in entering their respective facilities despite local residents’ resistance.
These facilities are also used by parallel Serbian structures.
Tensions escalated on May 29th when Serbian protesters clashed with KFOR soldiers. Dozens of injuries were reported on both sides.
The international community is urging Kosovo to immediately de-escalate the situation, namely by withdrawing the special police units from the north, organizing new local elections, and returning to dialogue with Serbia.
On the other hand, official requests from Belgrade demand ensuring the unhindered participation of Serbs in possible local elections.
The extraordinary elections in April, which resulted in the election of Albanian mayors, were boycotted by the Serbian community.
