The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, called on Monday 12 December for peace in northern Kosovo, as Kosovo Serbs responded to the arrest of a former Kosovo Serb policeman with widespread unrest, blocking roads and throwing stun grenades at EULEX police officers.
At the end of the European Council, the High Representative of the Union warned that the EU was not prepared to accept the clashes of the last few days, “including attacks on the EULEX mission and the Kosovo police, barricades blocking the road, armed people on the street”.
“We do not accept that this comes from people, from partners who aspire to a European future. This must stop”, he stressed, adding that the Council called on both sides to avoid violence and provocative actions.
Explaining that both sides - Serbia and Kosovo - wanted appeasement, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy called on them to implement this wish. The parties must return to the EU-facilitated dialogue, he stressed, adding that fighting in the streets or creating blockades was not “the way to seek agreement” and conduct talks. “This is not the way to look for solutions. This is not the way to approach the normalisation process they are engaged in”, he warned.
Mr Borrell announced that EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajčák would travel to the region on Wednesday to return in time for the European Council, where leaders will be briefed on the situation by Mr Borrell.
The High Representative also said that discussions on the new proposed agreement, sent to both sides last week, needed to move forward “urgently”. He also said that he had received strong support from ministers for this initiative “which has become a proposal of the EU27”.
Furthermore, Mr Borrell announced that many Member States had agreed to send more personnel for the EULEX mission if necessary. The day before, he warned that the EU would continue to coordinate with the Kosovo authorities and the NATO force, KFOR. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)