The focus of tension in the North of Kosovo, the EU envoy clarifies the meeting with Vucic

The envoy of the European Union, Miroslav Lajcak, appreciated the readiness of the Serbian president, Aleksandar Vucic, to, as he said, contribute to finding a political solution to the tensions in the north of Kosovo.

Lajcak and the American envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, are in Belgrade on Wednesday, to discuss with the authorities there, the importance of reducing tensions in the north of Kosovo.

"In Belgrade, Escobar and I had long discussions with President Vucic regarding the complex situation of the Serbs in Kosovo. Violence is never acceptable, and we urgently need a political solution to the current crisis", said Lajcak through a post on Twitter.

Local Serbs have been protesting regularly since May 29 in the municipalities in the north of Kosovo: Zveçan, Leposaviq and Zubin Potok, to oppose the entry of the new Albanian mayors into the municipal buildings.

Members of the Serbian community boycotted the April elections, which were won by the Albanian candidates.

On May 29, the protest escalated into violence between members of the NATO mission in Kosovo, KFOR and Serbian protesters.

Escobar and Lajcak stayed on June 5 and 6 in Kosovo, and met with high state officials.

Escobar told reporters on Tuesday afternoon that Washington stands with the people of Kosovo, but added that it does not support an individual who "does not have an instinct for cooperation" - referring to the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti.

"We are seeing that decisions are being made, despite our partnership, and this is a signal to us - we cannot accept this. Therefore, at some point, when we want to restore coordination and partnership with this Government, we are ready, because we will always be with the people of Kosovo. This does not mean that we should support an individual who does not have that instinct for cooperation and coordination".

The international factor has increased the pressure on the Government of Kosovo, demanding the withdrawal of mayors from municipal buildings and the holding of new elections. The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani and the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, have given signs that they can be organized. As for Serbia, the international factor has asked this country to reduce the state of military readiness, and to help reduce tensions among the Serbian protesters in the north. Kosovo and Serbia, with the mediation of the EU, started negotiations for the normalization of relations in 2011.

The parties have signed several agreements, but not all have been implemented./rel