BRUSSELS – The European Union has prepared first measures against Kosovo due to disregard for requests for immediate measures from the Kosovo government to reduce tensions in the north, Free Radio Europe learned from diplomatic sources.
According to RFE, the measures will include the suspension of invitations for Kosovo’s participation in high-level events and bilateral visits by the EU and Member States. There will be meetings only when necessary to focus on resolving the crisis in northern Kosovo and taking steps to find a solution.
The meeting of a subcommittee, that of commerce, industry, customs and taxes, which was to be held on June 8, but which did not take place, has already been suspended. The next meeting, which should be suspended, is that of June 21 and 22 of the justice, liberty and security subcommittee.
According to RFE, there will also be financial consequences for Kosovo. A significant suspension of EU funding is planned for several projects for which Kosovo has submitted proposals under the Western Balkans Investment Fund.
The EU, as a measure against Kosovo, has planned to reduce the level of public presence in joint developments and events in which members of the Kosovo government participate. This measure should include meetings within the framework of financial cooperation. The United States also canceled Kosovo’s participation in the Defender Europe 23 military exercises, calling it a first punitive measure against Kosovo for failing to meet the demands of the international community.
EU spokesperson Peter Stano confirmed that the The EU continues to consider possible measures against Kosovo, if appropriate measures are not taken in the meantime.
“So far, we have not seen any immediate and decisive action from Prime Minister Kurti. The recent developments in northern Kosovo only prove that the escalation continues and that this goes against the interests of Kosovo and all people of Kosovo,” Stano said, RFE reported.
On June 13, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti announced that he had sent Borrell a five-point plan that he said would help reduce tensions in the north. He also discussed this plan with representatives of the QUINT countries.
Stano said that some of the measures that will be taken against Kosovo have been shared with the bloc’s member states, according to him, if Kurti does not take adequate measures and immediately reduce tensions in the north.
“Discussions between member countries continue and the High Representative, Josep Borrell, is in permanent contact with the leaders of the region and those of the European Union member countries,” Stano said.
Tensions in the north have increased since May 26, when Kosovo Police helped Albanian mayors of the municipalities of Zvečan, Zubin Potok and Leposavić move into municipal facilities, despite resistance from local residents. Tensions peaked on May 29, when local Serbs clashed with soldiers from the NATO mission in Kosovo, KFOR. Dozens of people from both sides were injured in the clashes. These mayors were elected on April 23, votes boycotted by local Serbian parties and the population.
The EU and the United States presented Kurti with three demands: calm the situation in the north, hold new elections in the four northern municipalities and resume dialogue for the normalization of Kosovo-Serbia relations.
Tensions resurfaced on June 13, when a Kosovo Serb was arrested in the north, following clashes that broke out in late May between NATO peacekeepers and Serbian protesters.
Kosovo’s Interior Minister, Xhelal Svecla, confirmed the arrest on Facebook, describing Milenkovic as a leader of the Civil Protection Organization, a group that should have been integrated into Kosovo’s public institutions under an agreement negotiated in 2015 by the European Union between Serbia and its former southern province.
“During his arrest, three Kosovo police officers were slightly injured,” Svecla wrote, accusing Milenković of leading “gangs that have been terrorizing citizens” for years.
The arrest comes as Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti confirmed that he had presented EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell with a five-point plan for de-escalation in northern Kosovo, which includes new municipal elections.
Serbian government spokesman for Kosovo, Petar Petković, said the arrest showed that Kurti “is only interested in conflicts and war in the north.” He considered that Milenković was “not a criminal” and that his arrest took the form of a “siege” with tear gas thrown indiscriminately at residents.
According to the local news portal KoSSev, Those gathered chanted “Treason” and slogans against Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.
