Abbott after meeting with Kurti: Kosovo police should not play the role of guarding municipal buildings

Great Britain's ambassador to Kosovo, Nicholas Abbott, today called on the Government of Kosovo to listen to international partners and to take steps to calm the situation in the north, Koha writes.

After a meeting with Prime Minister Albin Kurti, Abbott said that Albanian mayors of northern municipalities didn't need to work from municipal buildings, and as he said, there was no need for the Kosovo Police to play the role of guards.

"We are still concerned, like all international allies of Kosovo, about the situation in the north. We do not think it is necessary for mayors to perform their duties in municipal buildings, nor is it necessary to play the role of guards in front of municipal buildings. They have much more important work in other places. I hope that in the coming days, we will see progress, a proposal, a change, and more cooperation between security agencies. As an ambassador, I am talking to different people to find out what is the best way forward. It should be normal for Kosovo to listen to the advice of friends and partners," Abbott said.

Regarding the proposal of the Draft Statute of the CSM of the Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, Abbott said that he had not seen it yet, but added that he knew that the Government of Kosovo and the Government of Albania were very close and that they would have a meeting next week.

"Albania is a country very close to Kosovo, I know that the two governments are constantly talking. I know that they have a meeting next week, and I am sure that they will discuss many issues. The government of Kosovo should listen to this, find the right way forward, but show understanding for the concern that friends and partners have," Abbott added.