Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union, has joined France and Germany in calling for new municipal elections in northern Kosovo.
In addition, he stated that it is necessary to assure Kosovo-Serb participation in the electoral process and to begin work on forming the Association of municipalities with a Serbian majority.
“Failure to do so will have serious consequences for our relationship,” tweeted Borrell.
We have 3 clear requests:
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) June 1, 2023
– new local elections now
– ensuring the participation of Kosovo Serbs
– start the work to establish the Association of Serbian Majority Municipalities w/in EU-facilitated Dialogue
Failure to do so, will have serious consequences for our relations. pic.twitter.com/xT4n0oPymK
The photo provided by the head of EU diplomacy shows a joint meeting in Moldova involving Vjosa Osmani, Serbia’s president, Aleksandar Vucic, and the presidents of France and Germany.
The situation in north has been volatile since May 26, when the Police assisted Albanian mayors of municipalities with a Serbian majority in entering municipal offices, despite opposition from local inhabitants.
The new Albanian mayors of North Mitrovica, Zveçan, Zubin Potok, and Leposaviq were elected in special elections on April 23 that were boycotted by the Serbian community.
According to France’s President, Emmanuel Macron, Germany and France have requested Kosovo and Serbia to organize new municipal elections in the north of Kosovo.
“France and Germany have asked the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia to organize new elections as soon as possible in the regions affected by the unrest,” Macron added.
Emmanuel Macron via Twitter
He went on to say that it was requested that local citizens of the Serbian community participate, and that “the parties will consult and return next week with clear answers.”
Osmani said that Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made this request during their meeting at the European Political Community conference in Moldova, and added that “we are ready to consider this, based on the Kosovo law for local elections.”
During the European Political Community conference in Moldova’s capital, Chisinau, Osmani and Vuçiçi met with European leaders.
Vuçiçi stressed the significance of the Association of Municipalities with a Serbian Majority in Kosovo for him. Meanwhile, Osmani stated, “we must ensure that the focus is on the full implementation of the agreement, not just some parts of it.”
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