DASH, tough with Kosovo/ Actions in the north undermine the West's efforts towards normalization

2023-05-26 20:15:51, Kosova & Bota CNA

DASH, tough with Kosovo/ Actions in the north undermine the West's efforts

The United States of America on Friday strongly condemned the actions of the Government of Kosovo "to forcefully enter the municipal buildings in the north of Kosovo".

Through a statement, the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, said that this government took these actions contrary to the advice of the United States and Kosovo's European partners.

"These actions have sharply and unnecessarily escalated tensions, undermining our efforts to help normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia, and will have consequences for our bilateral relations with Kosovo," the statement said.

DASH, tough with Kosovo/ Actions in the north undermine the West's efforts

"We call on Prime Minister Albin Kurti to change course and for all parties to refrain from any further actions that would inflame tensions and incite conflict," the statement concludes.

The EU condemns the clashes in the north of Kosovo

The European Union strongly condemned the clashes in the north of Kosovo "initiated by the attempt of the newly elected mayors of the municipalities to enter the municipal buildings".

We strongly condemn the attacks on the patrols of the EU's civilian mission in Kosovo, EULEX, which should be allowed to carry out its mandate peacefully, says the EU's response, which emphasizes that "everyone should take action to de-escalate the situation and restore calm immediately. The EU will not accept any further unilateral or provocative actions and maintaining peace and security on the ground must be a priority."

The EU reiterated that the recent partial elections in the north of Kosovo do not offer a long-term political solution and that such a solution can only be found through a real dialogue between all stakeholders, which include Kosovo, Serbia and the Kosovo Serb community , under the facilitation of the European Union.

Groups of Serbian citizens clashed Friday with Kosovo police who said they were helping the new mayors of three Serb-majority municipalities in the north of the country to enter their offices.

The police fired tear gas at the entrance to the municipality of Zveçan to disperse the crowd, which threw bullets and stones at the police, while setting fire to at least one police car.

The mayors of Zveçan, Zubin Potok and Leposaviç, who emerged from the elections of April 23 of this year, were sworn in the day before in schools and other public buildings in these municipalities, for security reasons.

A month ago, the Kosovo authorities organized the elections for mayors of four municipalities inhabited by Serbian majority in the north, despite the refusal of Serbian political entities to participate in the process without the establishment of the Association of Serbian-majority municipalities.

Political representatives of Kosovo Serbs and officials in Belgrade oppose the result of this election process.

Media in Serbia said that Serbian President Aleksandar Vu?i? signed an order to raise the combat readiness of the Serbian army to the highest level and ordered the movement of units towards the border line with Kosovo.

The United States and the European Union have increased efforts to help resolve the Kosovo-Serbia dispute, fearing further instability in Europe as the war in Ukraine continues./ VOA