Washington and Brussels urged both sides to exercise maximum restraint and de-escalate the situation
The European Union and the United States they worry for the ongoing tense situation in north kosovo, as they said in their joint statement released by the State Department.
Washington and Brussels urged both sidesto exercise maximum self-restraint and yes de-escalate the situation. They added that the US and EU are working with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti to find a political solution.
The US and EU also welcomed assurances by Kosovo’s leadership that there are no “lists” of names of Kosovo Serbs to be arrested or prosecuted for taking part in peaceful protests or road blockades.
The statement noted that the US and the EU expect Kosovo and Serbia to return to an environment which will contribute to reconciliation and cooperation for the benefit of their citizens.
According to AFP, citing Kosovo police, Kosovo closed its main border crossing with Serbia today after Serbs set up barricades in the area.
Several hundred Kosovo Serbs have been participating since December 10 in protests against the arrest of a former police officer. Traffic to the two border crossings with Serbia has been paralyzed. On Tuesday night, dozens of protesters from the Serbian side of the border blocked traffic to the Merdare border crossing with trucks and tractors. This fact led Kosovo to close the crossing.
“This illegal roadblock prevents the free movement of people and goods, therefore we call on our citizens and compatriots to move through the other border crossings,” the police said in a statement.
Pristina also called on the NATO peacekeeping force (Kfor) to dismantle the roadblocks.
The Minister of Defense of Serbia Milos Vucevic said today that the road blockade was a “democratic and peaceful” way of protest and that Belgrade was keeping communication channels open with Western diplomats to resolve the crisis.
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