Europe puts pressure on Kosovo, says ready for new elections

French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo leader Vjosa Osmani met on June 1 on the sidelines of the European Political Community conference in Moldova.

French President Emmanuel Macron, Kosovo leader Vjosa Osmani and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at a conference in Bulboaca, Moldova on June 1.

There, the two leaders of France and Germany called for Kosovo to hold new elections in four northern towns where Serbs are the majority, according to Reuters.

About 90% of Kosovo's population is ethnic Albanian, but in the north, Serbs loyal to Serbia are the majority. Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but Belgrade has not recognized it.

Disputed mayoral elections in April sparked protests and recent violent clashes. Serbs boycotted the elections, resulting in a voter turnout of less than 3.5% and an easy victory for Albanian candidates.

"We have asked both sides to hold new elections in these four municipalities as soon as possible, with a commitment from Kosovo to the participation of Serbia in these elections in a clear manner," President Macron said after the meeting on June 1. Kosovo was also called on to fulfill its commitment to give greater autonomy to Serbs in the north. Mr Macron said Kosovo and Serbia had a week to respond to the European proposal.

Ms Osmani accused Serbia's leaders of "whining and not telling the truth". However, she said Kosovo was ready to hold new elections in the north with Serb participation if they were carried out according to the legal process.

Ms Osmani said she had told European leaders that the election would have been completely legitimate if Belgrade's leaders had not called on Serbs to boycott the vote.

Osmani said a solution to de-escalation was near but Serbia must honour its commitments under the March agreement that brought relations back to normal. "We must ensure the implementation of the entire agreement, not just some parts," she said.

President Vucic left the conference without commenting on his meeting with Ms Osmani. He had earlier called on Kosovo’s government to withdraw mayors from the north and declared Kosovo special police units there illegal.

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