Politico: 12 European countries urged Borrell to lift sanctions on Kosovo
Officials from 12 European countries have signed a letter to EU diplomatic chief Josep Borrell calling on him to lift sanctions on Kosovo, Politico reports.
“Twelve countries, including Germany and Britain, call on the EU to end temporary political and economic measures against Kosovo,” the newspaper writes.
It is noted that the letter was signed by officials from Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, Ireland, the UK and Italy.
According to the publication, the letter raises the question of what role the Serbian side may have played in the ongoing violence in the region for several months, and argues the necessity to “support the independence and sovereignty of Kosovo”.
The letter also notes that the EU has shown “uncharacteristic rigidity” by taking measures against Kosovo, including “suspending visits, contacts and high-level events, as well as our financial co-operation”.
In the north of Kosovo and Metohija, local Serb protests have continued for several months, demanding that Pristina withdraw Kosovo Albanian police special forces from four northern Serb-populated municipalities, release detained compatriots and recall Albanian “mayors”.
The protests were prompted by an attempt by the Kosovo Albanian authorities in Pristina to install Albanian mayors following the 23 April municipal elections in the north, which were boycotted by local Serbs.
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