May 29. (EUROPE PRESS) –
The NATO mission in Kosovo (KFOR) has increased its presence in the towns in northern Kosovo that have been the scene of a new rise in tensions in recent days and has shown itself willing to take “all necessary actions”. to ensure a “safe” environment in these areas.
The latest incidents stem from local elections in April, which were boycotted by the Serb community, the majority in the northern part of Kosovo. The inauguration of the new authorities has generated clashes that have once again put Pristina and Belgrade on guard, but also their international partners.
“We urge all parties to refrain from actions that could increase tensions or cause an escalation,” KFOR claimed this Monday, in a statement in which it promised that it will work so that there is “a safe environment” and “freedom of movement for all communities”, as reflected in its founding mandate.
The Kosovar Police have also increased their presence in the northern zone, where new clashes with protesters have been recorded this Monday in which the agents have used tear gas, according to Kosova Press. The sirens have also alerted incidents at various points.
The four mayors of the main sources of tension, members of the Albanian community, have met with the United States ambassador, Jeffrey Hovenier, who at the end of the meeting has urged to reduce tensions. A message also shared with the head of the EU mission (EULEX), Lars-Gunnar Wigemark, who in statements to the DW chain has urged the parties to act “prudently”.
Wigemark recalled that the recent elections “only represent a very small fraction of the population”, so they do not represent “a long-term solution” to the crisis. This solution, he has added, passes through the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.
In Serbia, the Army has remained at the highest alert level since Friday and the Defense Minister, Milos Vucevic, has confirmed that this will be the case at least until Friday, reports the B92 chain. For this reason, he has confirmed the deployment of troops in the border area with the former Serbian province, which in 1998 declared its independence unilaterally.
