Tensions in Kosovo, Petkovic: We were on the verge of a serious conflict

The barricades created by the Serbs in the north of Kosovo to block the border points "were not actions, but reactions to a unilateral decision by Pristina", said the chairman of the Serbian List, Goran Rakic.

Rakić, together with the director of the Office for Kosovo in the Government of Serbia, Peter Petković, held an extraordinary press conference in the Government building in Belgrade.

According to them, large-scale conflicts have been avoided in Kosovo thanks to, as they said, "the wise diplomatic policy of Serbia and its president, Aleksandar Vučić".

They have added that the sole responsibility for the events in the north of Kosovo, on the evening of July 31, lies with the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, who, according to Petkovic, "wanted to cause large-scale conflicts".

"Do you understand that last night we were on the verge of serious conflicts? There were over 1,000 members of Kosovo's special units armed to the teeth, and their plan was to conquer the people who would protect their doorstep," said Petkovic.

Serbs from Kosovo have set up blockades at the border points on July 31, a day before the implementation of the decision of the Government of Kosovo on the issuance of entry-exit documents for Serbian citizens entering Kosovo and the exchange of Serbian license plates.

After Washington's diplomatic intervention, the Government of Kosovo announced the postponement of the implementation of this decision at the moment when the Serbs remove the barricades.

"Dialogue and the Brussels table are the only place for solutions, not sending the police and building barricades. Of course, we are aware that we will not find a solution with barricades, but the solution will not come with sending the police either", said Rakiq, among other things.

He also told Kurt not to address the Serbs in the Serbian language, but in his native language.

"We understand his messages, and they are that he does not see us Serbs. As if we do not exist there (in Kosovo)".

Asked why, despite everything he declares, he is still part of the Government of Kosovo, Rakić said that he will leave the Government only when "the people who elected him, let him do so".

"I am the opposition in that Government. I was not chosen by Kurti to enter it, but by the people", declared Rakiq./ REL