German Embassy speaks of Sarraz and Kurti's conversation, says they shared common stance with the EU on sanctions

Last week, Prime Minister Albin Kurti waited in his German Emissar office for the Western Balkans, Manuel Sarrazin. The meeting was warned by the prime minister's office to be held at 21.30, but due to changes in the agenda, it was held completed before this hour.

No notice of what Kurt had talked to Sarrazzin. The German Embassy has told Gazeta Express that it does not comment on “confidential content” of the bilateral meeting in question.

The German emissary's visit took place after Kosovo's agreement with the European Union on extending the situation to northern municipalities, through proposals the EU has made 3 June.

Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi, who has reached the deal for suspension, has expressed surprise that even further the EU has announced nothing of the removal of sanctions that it imposed on Kosovo when it was not accepting their bid for austerity.

Regarding the Kosovo Government's statements on lifting EU sanctions, the German Embassy says it shares the same stance given by the EU.

EU Office in Kosovo chief Thomas Szunyog has said sanctions are temporary, however, even after the agreement, it has not been made clear when they will be removed.

We had a good exchange with the Foreign Affairs Commission in recent developments and the situation in the north. I explained that the European Union's measures are temporary and returnable, but a constructive commitment is needed to achieve the de-pass, as requested by the EU statement on June 3rd”, said in Szunogg's response to which the German Embassy refers.

In the agreement with the EU on the de-exception of the situation in the north, Kosovo has pledged to hold elections again in the four northern municipalities, as the deployment of Albanian leaders who were elected in April strained the north.

Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi has said at a meeting with reporters last week that Kosovo should not announce elections in the country's north, without removing punitive measures imposed by the European Union.

As quoted by Radio Free Europe, he has said he is awaiting the EU's announcement of the removal of sanctions, following the compliance achieved between Kosovo and the EU in Bratislava, and the withdrawal of 25% of police forces from municipal buildings in 4 northern municipalities.