Tension in Kosovo and threat from Serbia: warned that it will “react” to protect its citizens if NATO does not do so sooner



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A Kosovo Special Police vehicle monitors protests against the government's decision to ban Serbian vehicles (REUTERS / Laura Hasani)
A Kosovo Special Police vehicle monitors protests against the government’s decision to ban Serbian vehicles (REUTERS / Laura Hasani)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic gave NATO 24 hours to act on the conflict situation experienced by Serbian citizens in Kosovo, and asserted that “if NATO does not react, Serbia will react” .

“I reiterated to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg that we will not enter Kosovo with our troops because we will not be able to endanger the peace,” Vucic said in an interview with TV Pink. , who clarified that if the attacks against his fellow citizens, “Serbia will react and not allow this to happen.”

Thus, the president pointed out that he had sent neither his troops nor any type of member of the security forces of the country to the border with Kosovo, but admitted to having put them on alert.

A Kosovar Serb is pictured waving a Serbian flag as people protest against the government's ban on entering Serbian-registered vehicles in Jarinje, Kosovo.  REUTERS / Laura Hasani
A Kosovo Serb is pictured waving a Serbian flag as people protest against the government’s ban on vehicles with Serbian license plates in Jarinje, Kosovo. REUTERS / Laura Hasani

That same Sunday, the high representative of the EU’s common foreign and security policy, Josep Borrell, called on Sunday to reduce tension in the region because of the roadblocks.

“I am closely following the situation in northern Kosovo. Serbia and Kosovo must ease the tension without preconditions (…) by immediately withdrawing special police units and dismantling roadblocks ”, Borrell said in a statement.

In addition, the head of European diplomacy warns that “Any further provocation or unilateral or uncoordinated action is unacceptable.”

Kosovo Special Police with armored vehicles are shown as hundreds of Kosovo Serbs protest against the government's ban on entering vehicles with Serbian license plates in Jarinje, Kosovo.  REUTERS / Laura Hasani
Kosovo Special Police with armored vehicles are shown as hundreds of Kosovo Serbs protest against the government’s ban on entering vehicles with Serbian license plates in Jarinje, Kosovo. REUTERS / Laura Hasani

“Kosovo and Serbia must find solutions to defuse the situation and agree on the way forward. The EU will actively support these efforts, ”he explained.

In any case, he pointed out that “The Kosovar and Serbian leaders bear full responsibility for any risk to the security and well-being of local communities in Kosovo and Serbia” and that is why he recalled that he had already mentioned it in his conversations this week with the Serbian President and the Kosovar Prime Minister, Albin Kurti.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will travel to the Balkans next Tuesday where she will meet with the region’s leaders ahead of the October summit, which focuses on EU-Balkan relations and in the midst of a climate of growing tensions.

Kosovo Special Police officers are pictured as hundreds of Kosovo Serbs protest the government's ban on entering vehicles with Serbian license plates (REUTERS / Laura Hasani)
Kosovo Special Police officers are pictured as hundreds of Kosovo Serbs protest the government’s ban on entering vehicles with Serbian license plates (REUTERS / Laura Hasani)

Von der Leyen will visit Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia on Wednesday, a visit that coincides with growing tensions between Pristina and Belgrade over traffic controls between Serbia and its former province, as well as religious conflicts in Montenegro . .

(with EP information)

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