German Embassy: We are concerned with escalation between Kosovo and Serbia

Germany's embassy in Kosovo has expressed concern over the situation created in the country's north.

“We see with concern the current escalation between Kosovo and Serbia”, they say in their response.

From this embassy have told Front Online that EU High Representative Josep Borel has made clear attitudes regarding the situation.

Among other things Borell said that the latest “developments in relations between Kosovo and Serbia put the years of hard work at risk and achievements achieved in the framework of the EU-mediated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, and hinder the security situation in the region and at large”.

From the German Embassy, they have stressed far that they fully support Borelli and Lajcak's efforts in the process.

“We fully support his efforts, as well as the EU Special Representative Lajcak in this process”, further said in the Embassy's response.

Kosovo's chief negotiator, Besnik Bislimi, who is responsible for dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, has travelled to Brussels at the invitation of European Union for Foreign Policy High Representative Josep Borrell. Serbian chief official Petar Petkovic will also be in Brussels. The parties where they are expected to hold negotiations for the plates.

During yesterday, European Union High Representative Josep Borrell has said that Kosovo and Serbia urgently need to find a solution to lower tensions.

The chief of European Union diplomacy said that “cannot reach November 21st, without an agreement of”, and that, as he says, the Serb resignation from Kosovo institutions has created a vacuum and could happen the worst.

“We cannot reach this date without an agreement or we will be on the brink of a dangerous situation. The withdrawal of Serbs from institutions has created a vacuum, the worst could happen. So both sides must show more flexibility. The message from the Council is clear, we need clear progress. We have presented the proposal, thank Germany and France for strongly supporting this proposal”, he said.

Tensions between Kosovo and Serbia have increased since the Kosovo government started implementing its plan for reregistering cars with illegal Serbian license plates on November 1st.

The Kosovo government wants all vehicles re-registered with RKS plates, or Republic of Kosovo, but Serbia rejects, insisting on neutral plates to Kosovo status.

As a result of increased tensions, northern Serbs have abandoned Kosovo institutions.