Stano: Closure of Serbian schools and hospitals will have negative consequences for Kosovo; Unilateral actions are unacceptable

European Union spokesperson Peter Stano stated that the status of education and healthcare within the Serbian system in Kosovo must be resolved exclusively through the Brussels dialogue.

In his address to journalists in Brussels, Stano said that the EU is monitoring developments surrounding the arrest of a Kosovo Serb, a school principal in the north, for allegedly possessing illegal seals brought into Kosovo.

"I can only reiterate that the EU has always been very clear that the status and transition of some essential public and social services, including the school and healthcare systems supported by Serbia, must be resolved through the EU-led dialogue. At the same time, the establishment of the Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities is a legal obligation for the authorities in Kosovo. Unilateral actions that block access to and use of these services, whether in the healthcare or educational systems, will have negative consequences for the daily lives of people and the living conditions of the Serbian community. This will impact Kosovo’s fulfillment of its obligations within the framework of European integration," Stano emphasized.

He added that the dialogue under EU auspices can only proceed based on the needs and willingness of both sides to reach an agreement during discussions in Brussels.

"This is not something imposed by the EU on the parties, but something they requested, supported by the EU at the highest level and by a UN resolution. We will host the dialogue as long as both parties are interested in participating in it, and the parties will remain engaged in the dialogue as long as they are interested in the EU membership process. Last year, the agreement reached in Ohrid confirmed this connection, with both sides agreeing and accepting that the dialogue process is linked to the EU membership process. Therefore, without dialogue, there is no membership," Stano concluded.