Borrell: New elections should be held in northern Kosovo, with unconditional participation of Serbs

Photo: Tanjug/AP

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Policy and Security, Josep Borrell, says that new elections must be organized in all four municipalities in the north of Kosovo and Metohija, with the unconditional participation of Serbs.

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"NATO forces cannot forever protect mayors who have the support of two or three percent of citizens," Borrell said at a press conference after the meeting of EU foreign ministers.

Borrell pointed out that the two parties must organize new elections, and that the non-participation of Serbs "would lead to the situation we are in today."

Borrell stated that the cause of the problem is that the mayors do not have legitimacy and thereby are provoking the protesters, adding that this is not sustainable.

"It is clear and the parties agree on that," said the high representative of the EU and called on Belgrade and Pristina to implement what has been agreed.

He also said that "European behavior is expected from the future members of the European Union" and added that the EU will continue contacts with both sides.

The high representative of the EU stressed that member countries have taken measures, if necessary, to "support the dialogue on normalization of relations."

Answering a journalist's question about what kind of measures we are talking about, Borrell said that they can be political and financial.

"Member countries and the (EU) Commission can consider taking political measures and limit political contacts," he said and added that these measures must be proportionate.

(Telegraf.rs)