Petritsch for the situation in the north: There is danger of turning into armed conflict, but the US and EU are ready to prevent it

The former European Union's envoy for Kosovo, Austrian diplomat Wolfgang Petritsch, has said that Kosovo is facing the most dangerous “crisis”, since its declaration of independence in 2008 and that things can get very easily out of control and destroy everything achieved through dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, under the European Union's mediation in the past 10 years.

He has responded positively when asked whether he fears rising tensions in Kosovo could turn into an armed conflict.

“has such a risk, but Washington and Brussels are ready to prevent eskating”. “We should not return to the wars of the past”, Petrisch stressed.

According to Petrisch, what is needed now is the return of the parties to the dialogue table, writes “Danas”. He has even said that the European Union and the United States should force the parties to do so, until he added that he hopes Germany and France will turn to their role and support the EU in trying to normalise relations between Kosovo and Serbia.

Speaking of the terrorist attack on the Kosovo Police in Banjska, Petrich said the consolidation would only turn the region back.

“Normisation is essential, because it would create preconditions for economic development. That's what people want, I'm sure. There are many talented young people who have left their homes to migrate to more peaceful countries like Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. But, Europe wants to see prosperity, not conflicts in the states of the former Yugoslavia. War time is over. Now we need to rebuild the economy and ensure better lives for citizens”, Petrisch has declared.

Asked who is guilty of the situation in the north, Petrisch has said that in any tension “there are always two sides”.

“I see this as an external observer and I have to say that the European Union must act more decisively and not allow the security situation to deteriorate further”, he said, adding that the international community, particularly the EU and the US, should force both sides to return to dialog”, the Austrian diplomat has said.

According to Petrisch, it is time for the two sides to implement the agreements reached in Brussels and Ohrid.

“Franco-German proposal is still the best way to reduce tensions”, he says, adding that he hopes Germany and France return to their roles to support The EU is in efforts to normalise relations between Pristina and Belgrade.

“Another plan that would be successful”, Petrisch points out.

Asked whether the current tensions in Kosovo -- states such as Russia and Turkey -- can exploit their benefits, Wolfgang Petrisch says it is always the danger that foreign actors will use their corrupt 48x1> to gain political points.

The “should be stopped because it is at the expense of Serbia and Kosovo”. Petrisch further said the Western Balkan region should become part of the European Union, and that should have happened a long time ago.

What we need is refocusing to the European policy of the enlargement process of the entire region. The “Only in the European Union will have more economic and social benefits for citizens”, Petrisch said.