DAS to the situation in the north: The parties are aware of our expectations

The United States and the European Union have made our expectations clear to both sides. These discussions are continuing”, a spokesman for Free Europe told Radio The UN on the question of how Washington comments on Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti's five-point plan to reduce tensions in the north.

At the first point of the plan put forward by Kurti on Tuesday is the rule of the law, which according to the Kosovo prime minister implies the identification, prosecution and fair trial of all members “of criminal groups that have attacked the police, NATO troops and journalists” in northern Kosovo.

During June 13th, Kosovo Police conducted an action in northern Mitrovica, where they arrested Milun Milenkovik-Lune. According to Kosovo Minister of Internal Affairs Jedal Svecla, the detainee is Milun Milenkovik-Lune, who Interior Minister Jalal Svecla has named as “one of the leaders of the civil network formation, and the leader of criminal gangs that over the years have terrorised our citizens”. He, according to Svechla, has been one of the organisers of attacks on NATO members in Zvecan on 29 May.

The “those responsible for violent attacks should be held accountable, following a fair legal process and full transparency”, the UN spokesman said.

The US and EU have submitted three requests to Kurti: calming the situation in the north, holding new elections in the four municipalities in the north, and returning to dialogue on normalising Kosovo-Serbia reports.

Tensions in northern Kosovo began on May 26th, when Kosovo Police helped Albanian mayors Zvecan, Zubin Potok and Leposaviq settle in municipal facilities despite local residents' resistance.

These leaders were elected on April 23rd, votes that were boycotted by Serb parties and local populations.

Tensions culminated on May 29th, when local Serbs clashed with NATO mission soldiers in Kosovo, KFOR. Dozens of people on both sides were injured in the clashes. / REL