Escobar: There may be an even greater crisis in northern Kosovo if both sides do not accept the European proposal

Gabriel Escobar, the United States Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, stated that resolving the crisis in northern Kosovo requires organizing new elections with the participation of Serbs, fulfilling obligations from the dialogue, and establishing the Community of Serb Municipalities, as reported by Reporteri.

In an interview with HRT, Escobar mentioned that EU High Representative Josep Borrell and the envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, had presented three simple steps for de-escalation in the north.

"The first step is to remove people from the streets. Additionally, mayors should not be elected to attract attention. We need new elections with the unconditional participation of Serbs. We also need a deadline for the Serbian implementation of obligations and for the draft statute of the CSM. It's about equality, fairness, and benefits for both sides," Escobar pointed out.

He emphasized that there could be an even greater crisis if the two sides do not accept the EU plan to calm the conflict.

"In Ohrid, an agreement was reached for normalization, to create peaceful conditions between two neighboring adversaries according to European rules. Not only did they normalize their relations, but they also aligned with the EU. We need to return to that," Escobar added.

He stressed that the agreement creates the right conditions for deepening European integration.

"In the meantime, a series of destabilizing actions have occurred. They have diverted us from implementing that agreement. We must return to it," Escobar said.