EU: The Kosovo government should continue the withdrawal of police officers from the north and organize local elections as soon as possible

The European Union said today that it was important to call elections in the four municipalities in the north of Kosovo as soon as possible, but also that the Government of Kosovo should continue with the withdrawal of Police Forces from and around the municipal buildings in the north, as well as that they were ready to take measures in case of the failure of de-escalation, Gazeta Express writes.

Kosovo's Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi, who is entrusted with the dialogue with Serbia, said a few days ago that Kosovo should not call new elections in the four northern municipalities until the European Union lifted the punitive measures. Albin Kurti also spoke about Bislimi's statement at the press conference on Thursday, when he pointed out that it was logical to cancel the measures in advance before the elections were announced.

The European Union, however, reiterated for Express that official Brussels was still concerned about the tensions in the north of Kosovo and reminded that the EU had condemned the violence and continued to call on Kosovo and Serbia to urgently de-escalate.

This spokesman reminded that the EU's demands for de-escalation had been for both sides and it was emphasized that Brussels was ready to take measures in case of failure of de-escalation.

"The EU is still concerned about the tensions in the north of Kosovo, it has condemned the violence and continues to call for immediate de-escalation on both sides," the EU told the Pristina portal.

When it comes to Kosovo, the EU says that Kosovo has been asked to act in the direction of calming tensions and to immediately stop police operations in and near municipal facilities in the north of Kosovo. As well as that mayors temporarily perform their duties in facilities outside municipal buildings.

The EU welcomes the announcement by the Government of Kosovo to reduce the presence of the police by 25 percent, but stresses that "further steps are needed".

The EU emphasizes that early elections must be called in the four northern municipalities as soon as possible, in order to put an end to the current crisis.

"Furthermore, to put an end to the current crisis, extraordinary elections must be called as soon as possible in all four municipalities and organized in a completely comprehensive manner. This means the full and unconditional participation of the Serbs from Kosovo," the EU added.

Finally, the official Brussels says that it is essential to continue the dialogue led by the EU.

"Just as important is the rapid implementation of the Agreement on the path to the normalization of relations and its annex. This includes the establishment of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities," the EU said.