The European Union said that the Council of Ministers will discuss the measures towards Kosovo on the basis of a report by the High Representative, Josep Borrell, on the fulfillment of EU requirements.
The EU’s declaration followed the request of the Kosovo institutions for the removal of the measures put in place for almost a year, after the fulfillment, as it was said, of the last condition with the organization of the vote for the removal or not of the mayors of the municipalities in the north of Kosovo. on April 21.
The spokesperson of the EU, Peter Stano, the request of the European Council was that the voting in the four municipalities in the north should be held as soon as possible and without conditions.
“Regarding the measures, in accordance with its Conclusions of December 12, 2023, the Council will discuss the EU measures on the basis of a report of the High Representative on the fulfillment of EU requirements,” said Stano.
He said that the result of the vote does not contribute to easing tensions and does not pave the way for the return of Serbs to the institutions of Kosovo. This, Stano said, is essential for the normalization of relations.
“The EU regrets that the Kosovo Serbs in the north of Kosovo have lost the opportunity for their right to vote and elect mayors who would be true representatives. The result does not contribute to easing tensions and opening the way for the return of Serbs to the institutions of Kosovo, which is essential for the normalization of relations”, said Stano.
The EU spokesperson said that while “the organization of the votes for the removal of the presidents was not unconditional, including innovations such as the installation of security cameras, the process nevertheless enabled the organization of this vote”.
“The decision of political parties representing Kosovo Serbs in the north to withdraw from the process and call for a boycott resulted in a series of difficulties, including the establishment of several commissions in polling stations without the participation of any Kosovo Serb member,” said Stano.
Stano also mentioned the challenges that the CEC has had in organizing the elections in the northern municipalities.
“Above all, the decision of the Serbian directors of schools in the north of Kosovo not to allow the use of school facilities for polling stations, a few days before the voting, has created a series of challenges for the CEC. This also hindered citizens’ access to accurate information on new polling station locations,” said Stano. /rtv21
