Tensions north: Borrell says EU ready to add EULEX troops to Kosovo

European Union Foreign Policy chief Josep Borrell said on Monday evening that the bloc has indicated willing to increase the presence of EU Mission forces for the rule of law in Kosovo, if necessary, while calling the situation in northern Kosovo unacceptable.

At a conference with journalists after the meeting of foreign ministers of EU member states, he said the recent incidents are with consequences for citizens of Kosovo, Serbia and the entire region.

“Since August, we are in a vicious cycle of confrontations, provocations and reactions, which escalated in recent days, and have sparked serious security incidents, including an attack on our mission, EULEX and the Kosovo police. Barricades blocking roads, armed men in the streets, are not something we are willing to accept, we do not accept this from our partners, who are aspiring to a European future. This situation has to end. The blockades must leave. The calm should be restored”, said Mr. Borrell, stressing that the bloc has called on both sides for calmness and restraint from violent and provocative actions.

“I asked member states to be willing to send additional reinforcements to our EULEX mission”, Mr. Borrell said, stressing that many of them have agreed and have expressed themselves willing to do so if necessary.

Borrell said that both Kosovo and Serbia have claimed they are ready to defuse the situation, calling on them to return to relaxed talks by the European Union.

After the summer incidents, we have made a proposal for the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo. We've updated that last week, after the last deal we made for the plates, and we hoped to avoid tensions. We have offered that proposal and should urgently move forward”, he said, stressing that the proposal is now 27 EU nations.

The proposal, which is supported by the United States, envisions a normalisation agreement that does not include mutual recognition of Kosovo, Serbia, but the commitment of the parties that they will not prevent each other from integration processes and membership in international organisations.

Borrell said, meanwhile, that due to the dangerous situation on the ground, he has urged special European envoy Miroslav Lajcak to travel to Kosovo and Serbia in an effort to reduce tensions.

As of Saturday, roads in Kosovo are being kept blocked by Serb protesters in protest of the arrest of a former police member, under suspicion of involvement in the attack on Central Election Commission officials and police officials during the week, while preparations were under way for municipal elections in the north, which were opposed by Belgrade-backed Serbian representatives.

The detainee had resigned as part of Kosovo's northern Serbs' departure from local institutions last month amid tensions over the use of car plates issued by Serbia.

On Saturday, Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani announced the decision to postpone elections in the north to April of next year due to the security situation in the area.