“Reresed for further escalation”, Stano reacts to police action in the north

The “Declaration for recent unilateral and uncoordinated steps in the north by Pristina authorities, risking further escalation”, Stano wrote on the X along with the statement.

Kosovo is currently under punitive measures by the European Union for last year's tensions in the country's north. Until the EU was expected to lift the measures following the calming of the situation in the north, Kosovo's government's warnings of opening the Ibër Bridge came along with EU warnings that measures could even increase.

The “Masses are still there, and they are progressive, they can be reduced, they can grow, depending on the development of the” situation, Stano said earlier this month.

EU Office response in Kosovo:

The EU is disappointed with the continuing lack of co-ordination with Kosovo security providers and international partners.

Today's Kosovo Police Operation against Serbia-backed offices in northern Mitrovica, Zvecan, Zubin Potok and Leposaviq, conducted with instructions from the Government of Kosovo, jeopardises the fragile security situation on the ground. EULEX was immediately decided to monitor the development of this operation, which was not co-ordinated with the EU and international partners.

The EU wants to reiterate that Kosovo has pledged escalation. The EU has repeatedly called on Kosovo to avoid any action that could negatively affect the security of people on the ground. Unfortunately, our calls have been ignored by the Government of Kosovo.

The EU wants to reiterate that the current police operation against Serbia-backed offices could lead to further escalation of an already unstable situation.

The offices supported by Serbia are meant to be addressed and chosen in the EU-extensive dialogue.

We expect Kosovo and Serbia to address and resolve open issues between them in the EU-attensive dialogue.