Tensions: Germany confirms disruption of co-operation with Kosovo in several areas

Germany's embassy in Pristina has confirmed to Radio Free Europe that it has temporarily interrupted co-operation with Kosovo in certain areas, the cause of the European Union's failure to meet the requirements for the extension of the situation in northern Kosovo.

From this measure, which Germany says took in line with the actions of Brussels, no <x0 Projects with the civil society sector, as well as the projects we have begun to implement”.

“Massat include delaying government consultations on development co-operation, suspending a envisioned bilateral partnership around the climate, and handing over specific equipment to security providers”, the German Embassy's response to REL says. At the end of June, the EU announced that it had imposed several temporary punishment measures against Kosovo, as the country's Government did not take the steps required by the European bloc for the suspension of the situation in the north.

In that part of Kosovo, inhabited by Serb majority, tensions are high since late May, when the new Albanian mayors entered their offices despite resistance and protest of Serb residents.

Their protests escalated even in violent clashes, with dozens injured, including soldiers of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) mission in Kosovo, KFOR.

Kosovo has not yet taken any steps, despite calls from the international community to attract Albanian mayors and organise new elections.

EU requirements for Kosovo and Serbia:

EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security Josep Borrell on 22 June has submitted the demands of the European bloc for Kosovo and Serbia, in terms of stressing the situation in the north:

• Kosovo is required immediately to suspend police operations near municipal buildings in the north and that the four municipal heads temporarily exercise their duties in alternative objects
• Serbia urged to ensure protesters withdraw from municipal buildings in parallel with withdrawal of Kosovo Police
• Both states are required to announce early local elections as soon as possible in four municipalities in northern Kosovo, with unconditional participation of Kosovo Serbs in them
• In the past, Belgrade has played key role in Serb participation in Kosovo organised elections

The EU temporarily suspended the work of all working groups for the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (MSA), which is the first step towards membership in the bloc, as well as invitations to Kosovo's participation in high-level meetings.

Both the EU and Germany have stressed that these measures are temporary and could be removed if Kosovo takes the steps required for the stress of the situation.

“We want to stress that all projects affected [by these measures] can resume at any moment. Urgent implementation of the measures needed for de-progressing the situation in municipalities north of” is required, the German Embassy's response reported.