The European Union (EU) and the United States on Wednesday called on Serbia and Kosovo to take immediate steps to ease tensions in Serb-majority northern Kosovo.
“The EU and the US are concerned about the continued tense situation in northern Kosovo,” the joint statement said.
“We call on everyone to show maximum restraint, to act without delay to unconditionally reduce this situation and to refrain from provocations, threats and intimidation,” the EU and the US said after Kosovo closed its main crossing point. border with Serbia.
The EU and the US have confirmed they are standing together with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albina Kurta in efforts to find a solution to one of the worst escalations in northern Kosovo.
In the statement, the EU and the US also welcomed the assurances given by Kosovo officials that there are no arrest lists of ethnic Serbs who participated in peaceful demonstrations and built barricades.
“At the same time, the rule of law must be respected and violence in any form is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.”
“We also expect Kosovo and Serbia to once again promote an environment conducive to reconciliation, regional stability and cooperation for the benefit of citizens,” the EU-US statement said.
It has already been reported that a very tense situation has prevailed for more than two weeks in the Serb-majority north of Kosovo.
Municipal elections in Kosovo’s Serb-majority municipalities were scheduled for Dec. 18 after officials resigned en masse in protest against Pristina’s calls to replace old, still Serbian license plates. However, as the situation worsened, the elections were postponed until April.
