24 minutes agoBorrell also demands a choice: If the three requirements are not applied, there will be serious consequences
Periskopi(3 years ago)
(3 years ago)European Union High Representative Josep Borrell has joined France and Germany's call to hold new elections in municipalities in northern Kosovo. He said that, in addition, Kosovo Serbs' participation in the election process is required and work to establish the Association of Municipals with [...]
European Union High Representative Josep Borrell has joined France and Germany's call to hold new elections in municipalities in northern Kosovo. He said that in addition, Kosovo Serbs' participation in the election process is required and work to establish the Association of Serb majority municipalities is started.
“If there is failure to do so, there will be serious consequences for our relations”, Borrell wrote on Twitter.
The photograph published by the EU's diplomatic chief is seen as having a joint meeting between Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciqi, and the leaders of France and Germany.
The situation in northern Kosovo was tense since May 26th, when Kosovo Police helped Albanian mayors of majority Serb municipalities enter municipal offices despite resistance by local residents.
The new Albanian mayors of northern Mitrovica, Zvecan, Zubin Potok and Leposaviq have emerged from the extraordinary 23 April elections, which have been boycotted by the Serb community.
France's President Emmanuel Macron has said Germany and France have urged Kosovo and Serbia to hold new elections in northern Kosovo municipalities.
“Finance and Germany urged Kosovo and Serbia leaders to organise new elections in areas affected by riots as soon as possible”, Macron said.
He added that he was asked to have participation by local residents of the Serb community, and said the “pals would consult and return next week with clear answers”.
Osman confirmed that Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made this request during their meeting at the European Political Community summit in Moldova, and added that he told them that “we are willing to consider this, under Kosovo's law on local elections”.
Osmani and Vuciqi have held meetings with European leaders in the margins of the European Political Community summit in the Moldovan capital, Chisinau.
Vuciqi also stressed the importance of establishing the Association of Serb majority municipalities in Kosovo for him.
The split, Osmani said that “should be sure that the focus is on full implementation of the agreement and not just some parts of it”.
