The EU calls for “urgent restoration of calm” in Kosovo

Kosovar Serbs Protest Appointment of Kosovar Albanian Mayors Despite Serb Majority Boycott in Election

June 3 () –

The EU has condemned the latest violent incidents that occurred between Serb protesters and Kosovar authorities and the NATO force in Kosovo (KFOR) and has called for “urgent restoration of calm”.

“The European Union condemns the acts of violence against citizens, KFOR military, security forces and the media in northern Kosovo in the strongest terms. The violence could have been prevented and must be prevented in the future,” The EU has pointed out in a statement.

Thus, Brussels has urged Kosovo and Serbia to “immediately and unconditionally adopt measures to de-escalate, cease the use of divisive rhetoric and avoid any new uncoordinated action.” “It is necessary to urgently restore calm” without which there will be “negative consequences”, she stressed.

In particular, the EU urges Kosovo to “act in a way that does not lead to escalation” and “immediately suspend police operations in the immediate vicinity of the northern Kosovo municipal headquarters.” To this end, it summons the new Kosovar Albanian mayors elected despite the massive Kosovar Serb abstention in the local elections to work in other buildings.

Likewise, Brussels calls for early elections to be called “as soon as possible” in the four Serb-majority municipalities in northern Kosovo. “We hope that the Kosovar Serbs will participate in these elections,” he said.

In addition, Brussels has expressed its “firm support” for KFOR and the EU mission (EULEX) and has expressed its concern about the alert situation in which the Serbian Armed Forces find themselves.

Finally, Brussels asks both parties to “act responsibly” and participate in the dialogue mediated by the EU “to achieve a sustainable solution” with “guarantees of security and participatory democracy for all citizens.” This involves “the start without delays or preconditions of the functioning of the Association/Community of Municipalities of the Serbian Majority”, as requested by Belgrade, the EU has highlighted.

The incidents that occurred last weekend in northern Kosovo had their epicenter in the town of Zvecan where Kosovar Serb protesters clashed with KFOR troops and during a protest against the new town councilor, of Albanian origin, who emerged from the elections last April that the Kosovar Serb majority boycotted.

The election of Kosovar Albanian mayors is the latest case of confrontation between Serbs and Kosovars, after the elections had a very low turnout, in Zvecan of less than 3 percent.