EU) launches diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions in the north

High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security Josep Borrell and EU special envoy for dialogue Miroslav Lajcak have been in touch with Kosovo and Serbian leaders and have offered their help in reducing tensions, EU spokesman Peter Stano has said.

“We prefer that we do our job through political and diplomatic channels, not through public comments. What we had to say publicly was said by press statements, including yesterday by High Representative Borrell” communiqués, Stano said.

Asked whether the EU has any evidence that Kosovo has violated the agreement by placing reciprocity in the case of car license plates, this EU spokesman added that it is calling for unilateral actions and provocations from any direction.

The entire situation is not necessarily linked sole to breaking any specific agreement. It's also about unilateral actions without consultations. So, we want to avoid unilateral actions and provocations”, this EU spokesman said, repeating the European Union's readiness to mediate a meeting within the framework of dialogue where the party's frustrations would be addressed.

EU sources have also said that the situation in northern Kosovo and dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia have also been part of talks at the meeting, which EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security Josep Borell held in New York with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. According to the same American sources, it has expressed full support to the EU in its role in dialogue and in current efforts to reduce tensions. The United States is also involved in consultations with parties within the Quinti group.

On Monday, the Government of Kosovo has made the decision that drivers from Serbia, once they enter Kosovo, change or cover their plates and receive Kosovo's temporary census.

With that decision, the Government of Kosovo has said it has decided on the reciprocity measure for Serbia's license plates, as a similar thing Serbia has applied for cars from Kosovo for more than ten years.

Jarinje and Brnjak, the two border crossings in northern Kosovo, where the population is the Serb majority, have been blocked by local residents who reject the decision for reciprocity.

There are special units of the Kosovo Police.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has said Wednesday that Pristina and Belgrade should fully remove the provisional plates to resolve the situation created.

Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciq, has said Tuesday that Kosovo must change its <x0 bad” or otherwise, his state will take measures, without specifying what measures it is about. /Rel