German Emissar Sarrazin: It was a big mistake what Albin Kurt did in Zvecan

The German emissary for the Western Balkans, Manuel Sarrazin, has also talked about Kosovo's actions in the country's north and the measures the European Union took towards Kosovo.

Sarrazin has said he had a clear EU order for the Government of Kosovo, what is required to do to de-excell the situation in the north, dealing with mayors.

But Sarrazin says Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti had another plan by not listening to the EU, and for that, the EU decided to penalise such a kind of behavior and say it agrees.

These are EU measures and I think it's relevant because sanctions have another level. There was a clear EU message to the Government of Kosovo what we want them to do for the deployment... and it had to do with the mayors. But Mr. Kurt had another plan not to follow us. And the EU decided to penalise this kind of behavior and say we don't accept it. I think that both sides should work on the breaks and return to implementation of the Ohrid Agreement. And both sides must take positive steps to build credibility and implement the Ohrid Agreement. Mr. Lajcak is working on this and we support him on this. I personally think it was a big mistake what Albin Kurt did in the case that led to the situation created in Zvecan (in the case of hurting KFOR soldiers and riots there)”, he said.

He also indicated that he wants the Kosovo government to test Serbia's by moving to fulfillment of the ironing points.

But all that happened was not just the sole responsibility of the Kosovo side. The European Union clearly communicated to them what it wants to become - some points - in order for the situation to relax. You may not agree with these decisions, but it is standard of the EU, 27 member states, even the QUINT. You may have had a better plan, but maybe not all of you believe that plan is better. I wouldn't say that responsibility is just on one side. But it's simple, the EU said: one, two, three, four and five, and you can't do just one with 25 percent and another, and therefore the EU can't say “very well that's enough”. This does not lead to a point that is said to be a mistake only of the Government of Kosovo, or that only the Government of Kosovo is not doing enough to relax. I want the Government of Kosovo to test the Government of Serbia more, moving in to meet the points that the Government of Serbia will also fulfil its” part, Sarrazin told TV21.