Balkans | Kosovo’s Prime Minister Kurti discusses tensions in the north of the country with EU and US officials

Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti met with the European Union’s special envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Miroslav Lajcak and the US special envoy for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar to discuss de-escalation of tensions in the north of the country in recent days.

Lajac and Escobar spoke to reporters after a meeting at the Kosovo government building, which lasted more than two hours.

Lajcak said it is in everyone’s interest to have “legitimate” mayors who represent the citizens of northern Kosovo.

Noting that their visit aims to help find a solution to the crisis in northern Kosovo, Lajcak said, “We have submitted proposals containing three elements on behalf of the international community. The first is easing tension on the ground, the second is fast new elections in the north, and the third is a return to Dialogue is in the normalization process. We had a long, honest and difficult discussion with the Prime Minister on these points.” Use phrases.

Escobar also said that the United States is the biggest supporter of Kosovo’s security, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Emphasizing that he came to the meeting as a friend of Kosovo, Escobar hopes that his demands will be taken into account, and said, “I have never seen so much unity in the transatlantic community. The United States of America, the European Union, NATO and almost all other friends of Kosovo have made the same demand, as has I hope (our request will be heard by the Kosovo government).” He said.

Lajcak and Escobar will also visit Serbia on Tuesday, after their meeting with Kosovo President Fyuza Osmani and leaders of the country’s opposition parties.

– Tension in northern Kosovo

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.

As protests continued in the area, the Kosovo Police and NATO’s Kosovo Peacekeeping Force (KFOR) cordoned off municipal buildings with wire fences and increased personnel in the area.

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

Considering Kosovo, which unilaterally declared its independence in 2008, as its own territory, Serbia also decided to station its army on Kosovo’s borders.

Kosovo Serbs stated that they would continue their protests in front of the municipal building until their demands were met.

The Serbian administration says the elections, which were boycotted by Kosovo Serbs and had a turnout of 3 percent, were invalid.

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