The EU on Sunday (14 September) used unusually powerful language to warn in opposition to escalation between Kosovo and Serbia.
“Senior politicians of the 2 Events will likely be held accountable for any escalation that results in any elevated tensions and, doubtlessly violence within the area”, a spokesperson of the European Exterior Motion Service acknowledged, stopping wanting naming the international locations’ leaders.
Kosovo Prime minister Albin Kurti on Wednesday mentioned in an interview that his nation is ready to face in opposition to a doable assault by Serbia as worsening strife with minority Serbs might lead to a brand new armed battle.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić mentioned there have been plans about “liquidation of our individuals”, referring to the ethnic Serbs in Northern Kosovo.
Tensions between Serbia and Kosovo flared once more earlier this month when Pristina mentioned it will oblige Serbs residing within the north, who’re backed by Belgrade and don’t recognise Kosovo establishments, to begin utilizing license plates issued in Pristina.
The state of affairs calmed after Kurti, underneath US and EU strain, agreed to postpone the automotive quantity plates rule till 1 September and NATO peacekeepers supervised the removing of roadblocks arrange by Serbs.
“We must always not exclude that these aggressive insurance policies of Belgrade might additionally flip into an assault in opposition to Kosovo in by hook or by crook,” Kurti instructed Reuters, talking in English. “We’re vigilant, however not afraid.
He added: “I’m not saying they’re going to assault us this week or subsequent, however it will be completely irresponsible to exclude…the potential of rising tensions and new conflicts.”
The tiny landlocked Balkan nation gained independence from Serbia in 2008, nearly a decade after a guerrilla rebellion in opposition to repressive Belgrade rule.
Ethnic Serbs account for five% of Kosovo’s 1.8 million inhabitants, which is 90% ethnic Albanian.
Some 50,000 of them dwell in north Kosovo, close to the border with Serbia. The remaining 40,000 dwell south of the River Ibar and are utilizing Kosovo government-issued license plates.
Serbia denies whipping up tensions and battle in Kosovo, accusing Pristina of trampling on the rights of minority Serbs.
