Quint: The election results in the north are not a long-term solution, do not raise tensions

The Quint countries, the USA, France, Italy, Germany and Great Britain, in a joint statement, said that the local elections in four municipalities in the north of Kosovo, on April 23, were held in accordance with Kosovo's constitutional and legal requirements, but also that, due to the boycott Serbian community, the results of those elections weee not a long-term political solution.

"Local elections for the presidents of four municipalities in the north of Kosovo and for two municipal assemblies were held on April 23, in accordance with the constitutional and legal requirements of Kosovo. However, after the boycott of a significant part of the Serbian community, the results are not a long-term political solution for these municipalities," states the Quint statement, which was also published by the State Department.

The states called on all interested parties, including local communities, to urgently work together to find a solution that ensures sustainable, participatory representative democracy in these municipalities.

They also say that there should be no actions or initiatives - including newly elected mayors and municipal assemblies - that do not serve the citizens or that can increase tensions.

"It includes the exercise of more than administrative powers and the process of assuming office, because it is not necessary for mayors to take an oath in municipal offices. All parties should refrain from the use of force or actions that incite tensions or conflicts," the Quint statement said.

They add that they support the dialogue on the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia with the mediation of the EU, including the need for urgent progress in establishing the Community of Serbian Municipalities.