2023-06-23 02:54:00
Soldiers of the NATO peacekeeping force patrol in Zvecan, northern Kosovo, May 30, 2023. (Photo: AFP/VNA)
High Representative of the European Union (EU) in charge of foreign and security policy Joseph Borrell confirmed that in separate negotiations with the EU in Brussels (Belgium) on June 22, the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo could not reach consensus on solutions. relieve stress between two parties.
President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic and the head of the executive branch of Kosovo Albin Kurti was invited to attend “crisis management” meetings after the EU and the US asked both sides to stabilize the situation.
However, the two leaders did not meet in person, but instead conducted separate negotiations with Mr. Borrell.
“After the four-hour meeting, I think the two leaders understood the seriousness of the situation. But obviously they are in different positions, with different approaches, different interpretations.”
Borrell also called on Serbia to “immediately” release three Kosovo police officers, and stressed his stance on holding new local elections in northern Kosovo.
Earlier, on Twitter, Mr. Borrell stressed the need to de-escalate tensions “immediately” and hold new elections in Northern Kosovo with the participation of Kosovo Serbs.
“This is paramount for the region and the EU,” he said.
Tensions between Serbia and Kosovo have increased since June 14 after Belgrade announced the arrest of three Kosovo police officers in Serbian territory.
However, the Kosovo government believes that Serbian forces pulled the three officers out of the territory.
[EU kêu gọi Serbia và Kosovo khẩn trương đàm phán giảm căng thẳng]
In response, President Vucic rejected the argument from Kosovo, and stated that Serbia was ready to provide evidence about the case to the international investigative committee.
Meanwhile, Kosovo announced that it will stop allowing cars with Serbian number plates to enter the territory.
Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008. This territory has about 1.8 million people, of which 90% are of Albanian origin.
About 120,000 people of Serbian descent living in northern Kosovo do not recognize this government.
Trung Kien (VNA/Vietnam+)
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