Balkans | EU warning to Kosovo: We cannot afford a new conflict

High Representative of the European Union for External Relations and Security Policy Borrell stated that he is working for a high-level meeting after the increase in tension in northern Kosovo, and that Europe cannot afford a new conflict.

The EU High Representative for External Relations and Security Policy, Josip Borrell, made a statement on the events that have led to an increase in tensions in northern Kosovo, prior to his meeting with Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović in Brussels.

Noting that the EU condemns all acts of violence, Borrell stated that he supports NATO’s Kosovo Peacekeeping Force (KFOR).

Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti Borrell stated that he had telephone talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic this morning and said: “I have called on both sides to take the necessary measures to reduce tensions immediately and without preconditions. All kinds of unilateral steps must be avoided and calm restored.” “. He said.

Borrell indicated that they expect, in the first stage, that the KPS will stop operations of the KPS to municipalities in northern Kosovo and that the Serb protesters will withdraw:

“The European Union expects the parties to act responsibly and return to EU-facilitated dialogue expeditiously in order to find a lasting solution that guarantees an environment that guarantees the security of citizens in northern Kosovo, paving the way for the implementation of the new agreement on the road to normalization. I am working on arranging an urgent high-level meeting For this purpose. I have asked the Assistant Secretary General for Security and Defense, Charles Fries, to go to Kosovo for this purpose, and he is now in Kosovo.”

Borrell also stated that EU members had been informed of the issue and discussed possible measures that could be taken today, adding that “there has been enough violence in Europe. We cannot afford a new conflict. I hope you hear my words and people act accordingly.” He said.

KFOR announces the injury of 30 soldiers in Kosovo

In a statement issued by the NATO peace force in Kosovo (KFOR), 11 Italian soldiers were wounded in the clash between Serbs and KFOR forces in front of the municipality of Zvecan and 19 Hungarians. It was announced yesterday that the number of wounded reached 25 soldiers.

He stated that there were fractures in the bodies of the soldiers and burns caused by explosive materials, and that 3 Hungarian soldiers were wounded by a firearm. It was noted that the soldiers who were shot did not pose a threat to their lives.

KFOR Mission Commander Major General Angelo Michele Restuccia said in a statement on the matter, “KFOR Peace Corps soldiers prevented threats to the lives of Kosovo Serbs and Kosovo Albanians in order to prevent clashes between the parties and to minimize the risk of escalation. Both sides must take responsibility. full information about what happened and preventing the escalation of tension instead of hiding behind false rhetoric. Use the phrase.

It was emphasized that the International Security Force in Kosovo would continue to take all necessary measures to ensure a secure environment in Kosovo, on the basis of the authority granted to it by the United Nations Security Council.

The KFOR announced that 25 soldiers were injured during the protest in front of the municipality of Zvechan yesterday, while the demonstrators were in control.

Protests are held

Serbs in northern Kosovo, where tensions have risen in recent days, are staging protests in Zvecan, Zubin Potok and Leposavic to block the installation of new Albanian mayors and entry into municipal buildings.

The Serbs, who demanded the Kosovo police to withdraw from the municipal buildings and not start the newly elected Albanian mayors, tried to enter the municipal buildings bypassing the police cordon yesterday.

The Kosovo Police and the International Security Force in Kosovo fenced off the municipal squares and increased the number of people in the area.

Tensions in northern Kosovo

There was also a clash on May 26 between Kosovo Serbs and the security forces, who opposed the appointment of police in the municipalities of Leposavic, Zvecan and Zubin Potok, where mostly Serbs live in northern Kosovo.

He stated that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic ordered the army to “prepare” and the army personnel moved to Kosovo’s borders.

Candidates of Albanian political parties won the extraordinary local elections held on April 23 in the region, while Kosovo Serbs, who make up the majority in the region, boycotted them. Kosovo’s Central Election Commission announced that only 1,567 (3.47%) out of the region’s 45,095 registered voters had cast ballots.