BRUSSELS – EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Josep Borrell said European Union member states were ready to take further action against Kosovo and Serbia if no progress was made. observed in the de-escalation of the situation. Borrell said member states’ measures will be political and financial.
According to him, the last meeting held in Brussels took place without immediate results.
“Member States highlighted their concern over the ongoing tensions in northern Kosovo and I stressed the importance for the parties to escalate the situation and comply with the Member States’ statement made on June 3. welcome the release of the three Kosovar police officers detained in Belgrade. Member states will take steps, if necessary, to increase the influence of the EU and support the dialogue for normalization,” Borrell said at the press conference after the meeting with the foreign ministers of the EU member states. the EU.
Borrell insisted that new elections be held in the four municipalities of northern Kosovo, but on the condition that Kosovo Serbs participate in the elections.
“Both parties must be ready to implement the obligations arising from the dialogue. Member States are ready to take additional measures if no progress is seen. It has been said that we expect European behavior from countries that aspire to be part of the EU. In the following days, we will continue contact with both parties. But member states are ready to be active and support us in our work,” Borrell said.
“We can consider political measures to limit political contacts, as well as financial measures. These must be measures, I told the member states, that the measures must be proportional and reversible,” Borrell said.
He added that the immediate measure is to hold elections in the four municipalities of northern Kosovo.
“We agreed that we cannot have sitting presidents permanently protected by NATO forces, a president with three percent of the vote. This is not a sustainable choice. They must be replaced by elections, new elections. Both sides agree on this, but the participation of the Serbs is necessary, otherwise we will find ourselves in the same situation,” Borrell said.