Borrell does not rule out possibility of imposing punitive measures on authorities in Serbia

Brussels is monitoring closely whether Serbia meets EU requirements for calming tensions in northern Kosovo and if it estimates Belgrade does not respect them, it is willing to review the deployment of punitive measures against authorities in Serbia, EU diplomacy head Josep Borrell has said, broadcast N1.

Measures have been taken regarding Kosovo. The suspension is temporary and returnable and will be removed once there is de-progress on the ground. At the same time, we are closely monitoring whether Serbia meets EU requirements and in case of disrespect, the EU is willing to take into account measures against Serbia”, Borrell has said further.

In answer to a parliamentary question posed in June, following the conflict before municipal buildings in northern Kosovo, he reiterated that “de-progress should now occur, on both sides” and that violent acts like the May 29th are completely unacceptable and cannot be repeated in the future.

In the letter, it is commemorated that on 3 June, Borrell, on behalf of the EU, has called on Serbia and Kosovo to take immediate and unconditional measures to calm the situation in northern Kosovo, to create conditions for extraordinary elections in the four municipalities in northern Kosovo, with unconditional participation of Kosovo Serbs, to act responsibly, and to immediately implement the Agreement on the Plan of the Normalisation of Relations and its Annex, without any delay or further preconditions.

It also adds that the EU has called on Serbia to reduce the status of armed forces' readiness.