Bettel: We encourage direct talks between Serbia and Kosovo; de-escalation of the situation in the interest of the EU

Prime Minister of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel emphasized that it is very important to de-escalate the situation in the north of Kosovo, and that the Benelux countries strongly encourage direct talks between Serbia and Kosovo.

At a joint press conference, after a meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Bettel reminded that this is the region where the First World War began.

"We know that the last war on the continent, before Ukraine, was in this region, and we still see that we don't need much fire to explode. There is enough tension between Belgrade and Pristina," said Bettel.

He announced that tomorrow he would go to Pristina with Rutte.

"It is important that there is calm, there is a road map proposed by Miroslav Lajvak and Josep Borrell. It is important to achieve success, words are one thing, but deeds are better. We must have progress on these topics, but also in de-escalation. De-escalation is also in the interest of the EU. We strongly encourage direct talks between Serbia and Kosovo," Bettel emphasized.

He added that concrete actions were needed and stated that if they could be useful, Serbia could count on the Benelux countries.

As he says, the issue of migration is also important to him, and in that sense he stated that they must know that they have a partner in Serbia.

Stating that they met with LGBTQ+ representatives, Bettel says they said it was important to them that the topic be mentioned during the bilateral talks.

"They told us that the cancellation of Europride last year was difficult for them. I am gay, I am married to a man, I know Ana and it is a shame that when we take pictures, me, my husband, Ana and her wife it is bad news. When non-governmental organizations say that they want the registration of same-sex marriage partnerships, they are fighting for equality, no one is gay by choice," said Bettel.

When it comes to media representatives, Bettel says that it is important to support the freedom of the press and to be able to discuss everything.