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Escobar: The situation in the north of Kosovo has the potential to turn into a regional conflict

2023-06-20 19:54:20Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Escobar: The situation in the north of Kosovo has the potential to turn into a
Escobar and Lajcak

The American envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, said on Tuesday that the situation in the north of Kosovo has the potential to turn into a regional conflict, while he called on Kosovo and Serbia to work on de-escalation of the situation and return to the dialogue mediated by the Union European.

He made these comments in a debate with Ilva Taren at the Atlantic Council together with the European envoy Miroslav Lajçak, in which they expressed concern with the developments in the north of Kosovo.

"I am very concerned, this situation has the potential to turn into a regional conflict and regional confrontation and this is the reason why we are so strongly supporting the European efforts". This should be a European effort because both countries are in Europe, their highest aspiration is integration into the European Union. Also as the biggest supporters of Kosovo, we would like to see it part of NATO and the European Union, so we want a process that reduces the concerns of the five non-recognising countries and this should be a European process, but this will not says that we remain passive", said Mr. Escobar.

"I think the moment is very important and very critical in the sense that we have to discuss the next steps. The situation is very difficult, I am very worried. Since May 26, there are people standing on the streets, there are Kosovo police, there are KFOR forces, while we have already seen a series of incidents, so I think that the priority is to escalate the situation. People should be removed from the street, the parties should return to dialogue, and undoubtedly part of this process is the organization of new elections with the participation of the Serbian community. without preconditions. If we fail to do this, then there may be victims and we cannot afford this", said Mr. Lajcak.

Mr. Escobar again demanded the immediate release of the three Kosovo policemen who are being held in Serbia, a position that was also supported by Mr. Lajcak.

The police case added to already high tensions and the European Union announced a high-level meeting between the two countries. Despite all the doubts in Pristina and Belgrade, Mr. Lajçak expressed his conviction that the meeting will take place.

"Look, there has been no occasion for leaders to refuse an invitation to Brussels. Therefore, I am not too concerned about the rhetoric. They will come. To say no to the invitation from the European Union would be a very serious and very negative act," said Mr. Lajçak.

He emphasized that the main issue is the extension of the situation and then the agreement on the date of the elections in accordance with the Constitution of Kosovo and the legal framework. This, he said, can happen either with the resignations of the mayors or with local referendums. Agreement between the parties is needed for the elections, Mr. Lajçak said.

"However, until now we have not seen the political will to hold early elections", emphasized Mr. Lajçak.

Holding the elections is part of the European Union's demands for the escalation of the situation in the north, which also includes the removal of special police units from the municipal buildings and the return to the negotiating table.

"I have to say that the transatlantic community is very united. "The idea that one or two leaders can impose conditions on a plan that has been carefully developed by the European Union in coordination with the United States is reckless," Mr. Escobar said.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučič demands the removal of the police from the north of Kosovo, the Albanian mayors of the municipalities and the release of all the Serbs arrested in connection with the incidents there. The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, has emphasized that the expansion should take place alongside the establishment of the rule of law.

According to Western diplomats, the return to the negotiating table also means the establishment of the Association of municipalities with a Serbian majority. Mr. Escobar and Mr. Lajçak described as a "serious proposal" the project draft for this association, which Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said on June 8 that he has sent to French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Mr. Escobar again rejected the claims that Washington is recently helping Serbia more than Kosovo, while Mr. Lajcak said that both sides will face consequences if they do not work to improve the situation.

"We have concerns about Serbia and its relations with Russia, but as we work with Serbia to address these concerns, we will not sacrifice regional stability," Mr. Escobar said.

Both diplomats said that Kosovo and Serbia do not have the luxury of waiting, while next year is the period of elections in the United States and the European Union./ VOA


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