The European Union and NATO referred to as on the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia to attend disaster discussions with out preconditions and stop additional escalation.
The EU’s overseas affairs chief Josep Borrell has up to now gotten no response to an invite to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo’s premier Albin Kurti to satisfy in Brussels this week.
Brussels’ mediation push comes as tensions have flared once more over the detention of three Kosovo cops by Serbia.
Vucic stated on Sunday talks with Kurti had been “pointless” till Serb calls for are met, however he didn’t rule out attending.
Kurti stated he was ready for Kosovan representatives to get entry to the detained police personnel earlier than agreeing.
“The date of the meeting has not been set yet, because parties have not confirmed their attendance so far,” stated EU overseas affairs spokesperson Peter Stano.
“We expect them to show a reasonable attitude and to come to Brussels and to make the necessary efforts to de-escalate, and we take it from there depending on whether the meeting happens and how it goes.”
Stano stated the leaders had been anticipated “to come without preconditions” and pointed to 2 upcoming conferences the place EU states may talk about measures in opposition to the 2 sides if they do not cooperate.
NATO additionally referred to as on all events in Kosovo to cease any additional escalatory steps and return instantly to the dialogue negotiated by the European Union.
“Our forces, the KFOR, will continue to take all necessary measures to ensure a safe and secure environment,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated after assembly German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin.
The detention of the cops is the newest flare-up after weeks of stress between the 2 sides over disputed elections in Serb-majority northern Kosovo.
Rioting by ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo noticed 30 NATO peacekeepers injured in late May.
The EU had threatened Kosovo with political penalties resembling suspending high-level visits and monetary cooperation if it doesn’t reverse course on the elections.
Tensions between Kosovo and Serbia have persevered since a struggle within the late Nineteen Nineties that drew NATO intervention in opposition to Belgrade.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, however Belgrade has refused to acknowledge it.
Serbs in Kosovo stay largely loyal to Belgrade, particularly within the north, the place they make up a majority and reject each transfer by Pristina to consolidate its management over the area.
Serbia has lengthy seen Kosovo as its non secular and historic homeland, the scene of pivotal battles over the centuries. It continues to host a number of the Serbian Orthodox Church’s most revered monasteries.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
