Balkans | Tensions escalate between Kosovo and Serbia

The tension between Kosovo and Serbia, which has escalated in recent days, has increased further with barricades erected by Serbs and raids by the Kosovo police.

President of Serbia Alexander VucicAfter the latest developments Security CouncilThe European Union, NATO and the United States of America responded to the violence in northern Kosovo.

While Kosovo Serbs set up barricades in the north of the country after Kosovo police detained former Serbian member Dejan Pantik, the European Union’s Rule of Law Mission (EOLEX) announced that it was attacked during its patrol last night.

On the other hand, the director of the Kosovo Office of the Serbian government, Petar Petkovic, announced that the Kosovo Special Police Unit of Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti (ROSU) entered Gazivod and tore down the Serbian flags.

Petkovic said on his Twitter account that he had informed Miroslav Lajcak, the European Union’s special representative to the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, of this issue.

Reaction from NATO, the European Union and the USA

NATO Spokesperson Oana Lunescu shared on Twitter that NATO member states condemn the attacks targeting the EU mission.

Lungescu asserted that such attacks were unacceptable, and asserted that those responsible must be held accountable.

The EU’s High Representative for External Relations and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, also said on Twitter that the EU will not tolerate attacks on EULEX and violence in northern Kosovo.

Pointing out that the barriers erected by Kosovo Serbs must be removed immediately, Borrell noted the need to restore calm and said: “EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo will continue to coordinate with the Kosovo authorities and KFOR. All actors must avoid escalation.” Use phrases.

US Ambassador to Pristina Jeffrey-M-Hovenier stated that the violence was unacceptable and those responsible must be brought to justice.

Early general elections scheduled for December 18 in 4 municipalities in northern Kosovo, where the Serb population lives densely, have caused new tensions between the two countries.

The President of Kosovo, Fyuza Osmani, announced the postponement of early local elections to April 2023, following the violence that occurred after Kosovo increased the presence of security forces in these municipalities.

Although Kosovo, which unilaterally declared its independence from Serbia in 2008, is recognized by more than 100 countries, Serbia still considers it its territory.

The Belgrade-Pristina dialogue process, which began in 2011 with the mediation of the European Union, continues between the two countries for the normalization of relations and eventual recognition of the two countries.

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