International appeals from Serbia and Kosovo for restraint

According to the report of the international group of Fars news agency, at the same time as the tensions between Serbia and the autonomous region of Kosovo escalated and the crossings were blocked again, countries and international organizations asked both sides to exercise restraint.

The European Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the United States said in statements: “We call on all to exercise maximum restraint, take immediate and unconditional action to de-escalate the current situation and refrain from further provocative actions or threats or Avoid intimidating each other.”

According to the news agencyReuters“, the NATO delegation in Kosovo also emphasized the need for dialogue between the parties to reduce tensions.

Earlier, Serbian Defense Minister Miloš Vučević stated that the situation in Kosovo is very tense and a spark is enough to set everything on fire, saying: “Citizens should know that Serbia is compatible with a political agreement in order to maintain peace and stability.” It will stay, but we will never allow another storm.”

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also said that in case of escalation of tensions between Kosovo and Serbia, the peacekeeping forces of this military alliance will increase in Kosovo. (More details)

It was Wednesday evening that the Kosovo authorities blocked the third border crossing with Serbia – which is the largest communication route between the two sides – and the Serbian government has also put the army on the highest level of alert since Monday.

The majority-Albanian region of Kosovo declared independence after the 1998-1999 war with the Serbian government, but Belgrade only allowed them autonomy. About 50,000 Serbs live in northern Kosovo who do not accept the government based in Pristina or the autonomous status of this region.

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