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12:49 POLITICS

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Belgrade: Rutte and Bettel call for an extension

2023-07-04 08:36:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The Prime Ministers of the Netherlands and Luxembourg make a joint trip to Belgrade and Pristina to convince the parties to return to the negotiating table.

The prime ministers of the Netherlands and Luxembourg urged Serbia and Kosovo on Monday to act to reduce tensions that tend to push the Balkans towards destabilization, at a time when Europe faces Russia's aggression in Ukraine, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and his Luxembourg counterpart said. , Xavier Bettel, on Monday, 3.07., after a meeting with the president of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, in Belgrade.

Rutte and Bettel travel to Kosovo on Tuesday for meetings with senior officials there. "We cannot stress how important it is that

Serbia and Kosovo take steps towards de-escalation and eventual normalization of their relations through EU-led dialogue," said Rutte.

"This is crucial for the two countries themselves, first and foremost, but also for the entire region and Europe as a whole," he added. "With a war raging between Russia and Ukraine on our continent, it is more important than ever that we act together."

Pressure on the parties

The US and the EU are putting pressure on Serbia and Kosovo to take steps to reduce tensions. Normalization of relations is the key condition for both countries to move forward in their efforts to join the EU. Luxembourg Prime Minister Bettel also called on both sides to act. "Words are good, actions are better," he said. "And we must advance in these topics, even to show that there is a will to reduce tensions".

Vucic expressed hope that the two prime ministers' visit to Serbia and Kosovo will help: "I promised that Serbia will do everything it can to maintain peace and stability," he said.

At the end of the week, the heads of state of the EU had threatened Kosovo and Serbia with punitive measures if they do not make efforts for extension. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, a week ago, said that despite the commitment of many countries, he hopes that both sides will agree on good neighborly relations./ Dw