British Ambassador Neil Holland expressed concern over ongoing tensions in the four northern municipalities, as well as the uncoordinated closures of institutions providing services to non-majority communities.
Holland welcomed Gerard McGurk as the new Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo and praised the Mission’s work amid a complex political and security context.
“We call on Serbia to fully cooperate with efforts to bring those responsible for these acts to justice,” Holland emphasized, referring to the attacks on KFOR and Kosovo Police in 2023, including the incident in Banjske and the attack on the Ibar-Lepenac canal.
He also stressed the importance of fulfilling commitments within the EU-mediated Dialogue, including the establishment of the Association of Serb Majority Municipalities, warning that failure to implement agreements harms citizens’ lives and regional stability.
In conclusion, Holland commended Kosovo’s progress in the fight against corruption but expressed concern about political influence on media and the safety of journalists, reaffirming the UK’s support for OSCE activities in this area.
He closed his speech by reaffirming the United Kingdom’s commitment to an independent and sovereign Kosovo, as well as its dedication to peace and cooperation in the Western Balkans, including the roles of Dame Karen Pierce and the organization of the Berlin Process Summit in London this autumn.
