Kurti, a step forward towards reducing tensions with Serbia/ Publishes the 8-point plan

2023-06-29 16:03:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Kurti, a step forward towards reducing tensions with Serbia/ Publishes the

Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, has published an 8-point plan for reducing tensions with Serbia.

Kurti says that these points were also presented to the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, during the meeting in Brussels a week ago.

This plan includes the steps that will be taken by Kosovo and the expectations from the Serbian side as reciprocity in order to mitigate the situation.

" More specifically, the steps that we consider necessary and are ready to commit to are as follows:

1) Reducing the presence of the Kosovo Police in municipal buildings and their surroundings, gradually and proportionally with the reduction of violence;

2) Full access to the judicial processes of the perpetrators of violence, and the monitoring of the processes, by EULEX and interested human rights NGOs;

3) Early elections are activated in the four northern municipalities by a recall petition supported by at least 20 percent of the electorate, as provided for in Kosovo legislation. After confirming that the requirements for withdrawal have been met, the date of the elections is announced by the President;

4) The four mayors in question will be instructed to hand over their authority to new mayors after certification by the CEC in accordance with Kosovo legislation.

Meanwhile, we expect the following from Serbia:

1) Withdrawal of violent protesters from municipal buildings and their surroundings;

2) Commitment to cooperation in the detention and judicial proceedings of the perpetrators on the part of Kosovo, with monitoring by EULEX and full guarantees for a fair trial;

3) Reduction of armed forces readiness to low level, no new troop movements, removal of 48 Forward Operating Bases located along the border.

4) Serbia should not hinder or interfere with the right of citizens of Kosovo Serb affiliation and all political parties to participate freely, without any intimidation, coercion or corruptive influence, in the process of local elections in Kosovo." , writes the Prime Minister of Kosovo.

At the end of the statement, Kurti emphasizes that the de-escalation of the situation and the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia is feasible and promises his readiness and will thanks to this goal./ CNA.al