In Kosovo, tensions remain high in the north of this state, which is largely populated by Albanians, and whose independence is still contested by Serbia. While Westerners hold Pristina responsible for the tensions linked to the municipal elections, the Kosovar Prime Minister is widely supported by the Albanian population.
With our regional correspondent, Louis Seiller
While situation remains very tense in northern Kosovo – scene of clashes that injured NATO soldiers and demonstrators – the Prime Minister, Albin Kurtiis under fire from its Western partners.
But in the city of Mitrovica, Albanians like Sefije blame the Serbs: “ According to the internationals, the elections were legitimate. To please the Serbs, they had already been postponed, for two weeks, for a month, but the Serbs do not accept anything, and they are not going to vote. »
The United States and France have repeatedly pressed Albin Kurti to reconsider his decision to swear in the new Albanian mayors of his predominantly Serb municipalities, whose election had been boycotted by the Serbs.
” Under no circumstances should he give up, believes Ruzhde who supports his Prime Minister. These decisions are right! They are legal! And they defend the Albanian and Serbian peoples. In the North, criminal gangs rule the roost, you can’t imagine! »
Recognition of the country’s independence
For Ylli, as for most Albanian Kosovars, the main responsible for the current tensions remains the Serbian president, Aleksandar Vucicwhich, fifteen years later, still does not recognize the country’s independence. ” The Serbian community must finally accept that Kosovo is a Republic and a State and that the laws of the Republic of Kosovo must be respected. »
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Despite diplomatic pressure, Prime Minister Albin Kurti reaffirmed his intention to extend the authority of the Kosovar state to the entire territory.
>> To read also: Washington excludes Kosovo from NATO military exercises after renewed tensions