On Tuesday 30 May, the European Union, through its High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, condemned the violence that has been taking place for several days in the north of Kosovo.
“Violent acts against citizens, against media, against law enforcement and KFOR troops [the multinational armed force deployed by NATO - editor’s note] are absolutely unacceptable and are bringing about a very dangerous situation. We, the European Union, stand firmly behind NATO’s mission KFOR in fulfilling its mandate in the interest of the peace and the stability in Kosovo”, Mr Borrell commented.
He also indicated that he had asked the Kosovar Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, and the Serbian President, Aleksandar Vučić, to “urgently take measures to de-escalate tensions immediately and unconditionally. And any further unilateral action has to be avoided and calm be restored”.
“We call on all sides to refrain from any further actions that will inflame tensions and promote conflict. The EU-facilitated Dialogue is the only path to the normalisation of relations”, said the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi.
The situation has been tense for several days in the north of Kosovo as Serbian demonstrators - who represent a majority in four municipalities in the region - have been calling for the departure of newly elected Albanian mayors. On 23 April this year, Serbs living in this part of Kosovo boycotted the municipal elections, allowing Albanian mayors to be elected with turnouts of no more than 3.5% (see EUROPE 13168/7).
On Monday 29 May, around thirty members of KFOR were injured in clashes with Serbian demonstrators. There had already been violence on Friday 26 May, when the elected mayors had taken up their posts. (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)