Balkans | Kosovar Prime Minister Kurti criticizes the punitive measures taken by the European Union against Kosovo

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that the punitive measures taken by the European Union against Kosovo are unfair and make the dialogue between his country and Serbia unequal.

Kosovar Prime Minister Kurti met with EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue Miroslav Lajcak to discuss de-escalation of tensions in the north of the country in recent weeks.

In a written statement from the Kosovo Prime Ministry, it was reported that Kurti stated that relations between the two countries can be normalized by implementing the agreement reached between Kosovo and Serbia and establishing good neighborly relations.

In the statement, Prime Minister Kurti stressed that the punitive measures taken by the European Union against Kosovo are unfair and make the dialogue unequal. After that, he expressed his commitment and commitment to de-escalation and normalization. He emphasized that the Kosovo government did not in any way contribute to the escalation of tensions, and that only the Kosovo Police enforced the law and was concerned with public safety.” Data included.

Lajcak, who made a statement to reporters after his meeting with Prime Minister Kurti, noted that they exchanged ideas during the long meeting and agreed to continue talks.

Lajjac stated that negotiations on concrete steps must continue and said: “There is an understanding that progress should be made on three points: the reduction of tension offered by the European Union, early elections and a return to normalization. However, we will need to continue our talks on concrete steps to get us to there “. Use phrases.

Lajcak confirmed that he would visit Serbia tomorrow to ease tensions in northern Kosovo:

The EU has made it clear that sanctions are also ready for Serbia and will be implemented if member states decide that Serbia does not meet EU demands (de-escalation). I hope that there will be no sanctions against Kosovo and Serbia, and I hope that there will be no sanctions and that the two sides meet in Brussels to discuss how to implement the agreement reached in February (between Kosovo and Serbia).

Lajcak also met with President Vjosa Osmani as part of his visit to Kosovo.

Tensions in northern Kosovo have been going on for a month

On May 26, Kosovo Serbs protested against the election of Albanian mayors who won local elections on April 23 in the municipalities of Zvecan, Zubin Potok and Leposavić, where Serbs are concentrated in northern Kosovo.

There was a clash between the Kosovo police, who were sent to the area to protect the Albanian mayors, and the Kosovo Serbs.

Serbia detained 3 people, proven to be members of the Kosovo police, in the border area of ​​the two countries on the grounds that they were “planning an action in Serbia” on June 14, while Kosovo claimed that the police had been “kidnapped”. From Serbia. Serbia released the Kosovo police on June 26.

While the Kosovo police arrested about 10 Kosovo Serbs for various reasons, Serbia demanded that these people be released as soon as possible.

The main cause of tension between the two countries, which come face to face from time to time, is expressed in Serbia’s vision of Kosovo, which unilaterally declared its independence in 2008, as its own territory.

Within the scope of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue process, initiated in 2011 with the mediation of the European Union, efforts are being made to find a common way to normalize relations and eventually for the two countries to get to know each other.

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