The United States and the European Union called on Wednesday for an “unconditional de-escalation” in northern Kosovo, ravaged by tensions on its border with Serbia.
“We call on everyone to exercise maximum restraint and take immediate steps for the unconditional de-escalation of the situation,” a spokeswoman for the US State Department and the European Union said in a joint press release.
They also urged both sides to “refrain from any provocation, threat or intimidation.”
“We are working with (Serb) President Vucic and (Kosovo) Prime Minister Kurti to find a political solution to ease tensions and achieve progress for the sake of stability, security and well-being of all local populations,” he says. the notice. continued.
Closed border post and barricades
Kosovo closed its main border crossing with Serbia on Wednesday after Serbs erected barricades there, in one of the region’s worst crises in recent years.
Several hundred Kosovo Serbs have erected barricades since December 10 in northern Kosovo to protest the arrest of a former Serb policeman, paralyzing traffic at two border crossings with Serbia.
On Tuesday night, dozens of protesters also blocked traffic on the Serbian side of the border with trucks and tractors.
Kosovo police and international peacekeeping forces came under several firearms attacks, while Serbia placed its armed forces on high alert.
Serbia does not recognize the independence of its former southern province, populated mostly by Albanians, proclaimed in 2008.
Source: BFM TV
