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Kosova

Calm situation in the north of Kosovo after Friday's clashes

Politiko 2023-05-28 10:17:22

Calm situation in the north of Kosovo after Friday's clashes

The situation in the north of Kosovo appears calm on Saturday, a day after groups of Serbian citizens clashed with the police who were helping the new mayors of three municipalities inhabited by Serbian majority in the north of the country, to enter their offices. The developments fueled tensions with Serbia, which raised the level of readiness of its military troops, as well as the harsh reaction of Western diplomacy, which condemned the actions of the Kosovo authorities.

" We are aware and understand the concerns raised by our international partners. But any other option would be a failure to fulfill the constitutional obligations of our Government towards the new presidents; it would be failure to fulfill the obligations and obligations of the new presidents towards the citizens of the Republic; and, it would make it impossible to provide basic municipal services to citizens," Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti wrote on social networks on Saturday, calling on the Serbian citizens of Kosovo to cooperate with the new mayors and their cabinets, "which will to be multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-linguistic and multi-party. They are chosen and they are not against anyone, but at the service of everyone ",

Police fired tear gas Friday at the entrance to Zvecani municipality to disperse groups of local Serbs who threw stones and shrapnel at police officers, while setting at least one car on fire. The police said that five of its members were injured, while four cars were damaged during the clashes. Yes, there was damage to cars of the European Union Mission for the rule of law.

About 10 people sought medical help at a local hospital complaining of minor injuries and the impact of tear gas.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic ordered Serbian troops to be put on "high alert" and their movement towards the border with Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008.

On Saturday, Germany's envoy for the Western Balkans, Manuel Sarrazin, arrived in Kosovo for meetings with government leaders, NATO peacekeeping forces, EULEX and local Serbs to discuss the situation.

" We condemn Kosovo's decision to forcefully enter municipal buildings in the north and the violent reactions ," he wrote, calling for restraint from all parties and commitment from Kosovo and Serbia to immediately implement the agreements reached.

NATO called on the institutions of Kosovo to immediately escalate the situation in the north. NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said that the alliance calls on " all parties to resolve the situation through dialogue." The NATO mission, KFOR, continues to be a watchdog and provide a safe environment .

Kosovo and Serbia agreed in March in Ohrid to implement a European Union plan for the normalization of relations between them, but tensions continue to remain high.

The Kosovo-Serbia agreement requires good neighborly relations, recognition of documents and symbols and respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity. It requires that the parties do not hinder each other in the integration processes, but it does not require mutual recognition. The plan also foresees the fulfillment of all the agreements previously reached in the talks mediated by the European Union, including those for the establishment of the Association of municipalities with a Serbian majority./ VOA

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