EU urges Kurti to halt closure of institutions in the North and avoid escalatory measures

The European Union issued a statement this evening calling on Kosovo's caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti and the outgoing authorities in Kosovo to halt the closures of public services in the north, urging restraint and the avoidance of escalatory measures.

"The recent operations by the Kosovo Police, inspections, and closures of public services in Kosovo risk increasing tensions and negatively impact the daily lives of local communities, as well as undermine Kosovo’s international standing," stated the EU spokesperson.

The EU expressed particular concern over operations targeting the "Ibar Waterworks" company in North Mitrovica and the water supply facilities and Public Utility Company in Zubin Potok, which provide essential public services to communities in the northern part of Kosovo.

Unilateral and uncoordinated actions undermine efforts to build trust between communities, the spokesperson emphasized.

"We call on the outgoing Prime Minister Kurti and the Kosovo authorities to halt these closures, demonstrate restraint, and avoid further escalatory measures," the EU spokesperson said.

The EU also calls on both Kosovo and Serbia to engage constructively in the EU-facilitated dialogue, to implement the Agreement on the Path to Normalisation and its Implementation Annex, as well as other agreements reached through the EU-facilitated dialogue, without further delay or preconditions. This includes the establishment of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities.

"Normalization of relations is an essential condition on the European path for both parties," the statement concludes.