Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer has recently held discussions with Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić regarding tensions in northern Kosovo.
In a statement, it was mentioned that Finer welcomed Kurti’s readiness to work towards creating conditions for new elections.
On the other hand, Vučić was asked to withdraw armed forces from border areas and lower the military readiness level, as well as urging protesters to remain calm.
Local Serbs have been regularly protesting since May 29th in Zvečan, Leposavić, and Zubin Potok, opposing the appointment of new Albanian mayors to municipal buildings.
On May 29th, the protests escalated into violence between members of the NATO mission in Kosovo, KFOR, and Serbian protesters.
Kurti was urged to have the new mayors perform their duties in alternative locations and for police forces to withdraw from the municipal buildings.
In two media statements released by the White House, it was mentioned that Finer urged Kurti and Vučić to reengage in the EU-mediated dialogue and fully implement the Agreement on the Normalization of Relations.
The parties concluded this Agreement in February in Brussels, while the implementation annex was finalized in March in Ohrid.
Kosovo and Serbia, with the EU’s mediation, initiated negotiations for the normalization of relations in 2011.
Several agreements have been signed between the parties, but not all have been fully implemented.
