Tensions in the North after the appointment of 4 mayors, the EU again calls on Kosovo: Extraordinary elections should be held, the situation must...

The European Union demanded on Saturday that Kosovo immediately suspend police operations in the vicinity of municipal facilities in the north of Kosovo, and that the elected Albanian presidents perform their functions from alternative facilities.

"The extraordinary elections should be announced as soon as possible in all four municipalities, and they should be organized comprehensively. We expect Kosovo Serbs to participate in them".

In a statement of the European Union, issued by the chief diplomat of the EU, Josep Borrell, the violence that happened in the north days ago was condemned, and that Kosovo should take steps to reduce tensions. Local Serbs have been protesting regularly since May 29 in Zveçan, Leposaviq and Zubin Potik, to oppose the entry of the new Albanian mayors into the municipal buildings. On May 29, the protest escalated into violence between members of the NATO mission in Kosovo, KFOR and Serbian protesters.

"The European Union strongly condemns the violence against citizens, KFOR troops, law enforcement agencies and the media in the north of Kosovo. Violence could have been avoided, and should be avoided in the future. The European Union stands strongly behind the KFOR mission and the EULEX mission in fulfilling their respective mandates", the statement said.

"We invite both sides, Kosovo and Serbia, to immediately and unconditionally take measures to calm the situation, stop the divisive rhetoric and refrain from any other uncoordinated action. Calm must be restored urgently. The European Union is ready to implement strict measures. Failure to reduce tensions will result in negative consequences."

The international factor has made continuous calls for taking steps towards reducing tensions. Some diplomats have also requested the holding of new elections in the north. The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani and the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti have given signs that something like this could happen.

“Bashkimi Evropian, pret nga Kosova dhe Serbisa të veprojnë me përgjegjësi dhe të angazhohen menjëherë në dialogun e lehtësuar nga BE-ja, për të gjetur zgjidhje për situatën në veri, që garanton siguri dhe pjesëmarrje për të gjithë qytetarët. Diçka e tillë hap rrugë për zbatimin e Marrëveshjes për rrugën drejt normalizimit dhe aneksit. Kjo përfshin edhe nisjen, pa asnjë vonesë tjetër, dhe pa parakushte të punës për të themeluar Asociacionin e komunave me shumicë serbe”, është thënë mes tjerash në thirrjen e bllokut evropian.

Kosovo and Serbia have reached agreement on the Association in 2013 and then in 2015 on the principles for its establishment. In 2015, the Constitutional Court of Kosovo found that the agreement is not in full harmony with the Constitution. Serbia demands that Kosovo implement the agreements reached, but the Government of Kosovo has declared against a mono-ethnic association. Kosovo and Serbia, with the mediation of the EU, started negotiations for the normalization of relations in 2011. The parties have signed several agreements, but not all of them have been implemented./rel