EU calls for creating conditions for quiet elections in the north

EU spokesman Peter Stano reiterated the frustration of EU member states over not participating Kosovo Serbs in the April 23rd parliamentary elections in the four municipalities in the northern part, but urged both sides to show restraint.

The “is very disappointing that the Serbian List representing Kosovo Serbs has decided not to participate in local elections scheduled for April 23rd in the four northern municipalities, despite the vote being postponed from December to April, and the deadline for candidacy has also been postponed. Ensure that elections are held under peaceful conditions is essential and that the EU calls on all sides to exercise restraint”, Stano told RTV21.

Nearly all Serbian political subjects have withdrawn from the April 23rd elections, re-declared by President Osmani.

The elections were announced following the resignation of Kosovo Serb political and institutional representatives and Serb members of police following tensions last year.

EU spokesman Peter Stano said little progress has been made in returning Kosovo Serbs to institutions despite EU and its partners committed to meeting their obligations based on agreement

It is necessary to return to a situation where Kosovo Serbs actively participate in local governance, police and judiciary in northern Kosovo. We need both sides to play their part in this”, he said.

According to Stanos, the agreement reached in Brussels and the annex of its hired implementation in Ohrid paves the way for the overall normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia.

A key part of implementing these agreements will be the sustainable return of Kosovo Serbs to Kosovo institutions, including local government.

Serbia's list of Kosovo Serbs called on Serbs from the country's north to run a full “run the” local elections, scheduled for Sunday, 23 April.

The statement reportedly calls on “of all Serbian people to remain calm Sunday and not to fall to “the regime of [Kosovo prime minister] Albin Kurti”, whose sole purpose, as he said, is the “debacle of Serbs from north”.

In her statement, it is also said that Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, “wants to invade Kosovo's northern municipalities” through “invading heads”.

For either of these claims, the Serbian List did not bring any evidence that would support them.

The “Serbs must look down on all who plan to go out and participate in this illegal election process, which is against the interests of the Serbian people”, the Serbian List said.

On Sunday 23 April, early local elections are held in municipalities: Northern Mitrovica, Zubin Potok, Zvecan and Leposaviq all inhabited by Serb majority.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has rightly called on citizens to vote.

In a statement given to Radio Free Europe, US Ambassador to Kosovo Jeffrey Havenier has warned that “all efforts to prevent elections through threats or use of violence will face the strong condemnation of the international community”.

The Serbian list has boycotted participation in the elections, arguing that Kosovo has failed to meet its two conditions: the formation of the Serb majority municipalities' association and the withdrawal of the special Kosovo Police Unit from the northern part of the country.

In that stance, the Serbian List has also had official Belgrade's support.

In the race for mayors in the north, there are 10 candidates, only one of the Serb community. Allexander Jabliovac, from the Kosovo Serb Party, has withdrawn from the race just three days before the elections, even though his candidacy has been certified by the Central Election Commission.

The municipalities in the north have been without mayors since November last year, when Serbian officials in this area have resigned from Kosovo institutions, due to a government decision in Pristina to reregister cars with Serbian illegal license plates.

Most of the 19 polling stations that will open in the north will be located in containers, as Belgrade-backed facilities have not allowed the opening of schools.