Balkans | Serbian leader Vucic: We respected all agreements

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that NATO has had very good relations with its forces in Kosovo so far, and he is confident that relations will continue in this direction.

In an interview with CNN, Vucic made assessments of the tension in northern Kosovo in recent days.

Vucic called on the Kosovo Serbs to de-escalate the situation and establish peace, and said, “The Serbian side has fulfilled all the requirements of the Brussels Agreement signed in 2013. Kosovo, on the other hand, has not fulfilled its sole responsibility, “creating the Federation of Serbian Municipalities,” he said.

Vucic stressed that all Kosovo Serbs want is security for themselves and their families. Vucic stated that the turnout in local elections held on 23 April in municipalities with a high Serb population in northern Kosovo was 3 percent, and thus argued that the elections were “invalid”.

Recalling that the Kosovo Serbs boycotted the election, Vucic said, “Have you ever seen a valid election with such a low turnout?” He rated it.

Noting that he was pleased with the statements of the United States and France regarding the tension in northern Kosovo, Vucic said, “We respected all agreements. None of our soldiers entered Kosovo. So far we have had a very good and professional relationship with the NATO forces in Kosovo. I am confident that our relationship will continue in this framework from now on.” He said.

Tensions 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.

Serbia also decided to station its army on the border with Kosovo.

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

Serbia considers Kosovo, which unilaterally declared its independence in 2008, to be its territory.

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