After the war between Russia and Ukraine, the tension between Serbia and Kosovo caused war bells to ring. After the detention of former Serbian police officer Dejan Pantic in the last tension, Kosovo Serbs, who reacted to the decision, started to set up barricades and keep watch. After meeting with Kosovo Serbs, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced that the barricades would be removed.
“WE HAD A VERY DIFFICULT NIGHT”
Vucic, who met with Kosovo Serbs at the Raska Barracks near Serbia’s border with Kosovo, made a statement after the meeting.
Expressing that they had a very difficult night and meeting, Vucic said, “I asked the Kosovo Serbs to remove the barricades. I wanted peace and tranquility to continue. I listened to everyone. I believe that the promises will be fulfilled.”
“IT IS NOT A JOB THAT WILL BE FINISHED IN 2 HOURS”
Vucic stated that the feeling of insecurity among Kosovo Serbs continues, “The barricades will be removed before noon on Thursday. This is not a job that will be finished in 2 hours. It may take 24, maybe 48 hours, but the barricades will be removed.” he said.
Evaluating the possibility of Kosovo Serbs being detained after the removal of the barricades, Vucic said, “They stated that in such a case, they would erect the barricades, never to be lifted again.” used the phrases.
EXPLANATION FROM EU AND US
Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) and the United States made a joint statement after the detention of former Serbian police officer Dejan Pantic, which caused tensions between Kosovo and Serbia today, was turned into house arrest.
Petar Petkovic, Director of the Kosovo Office of the Serbian Government, who met with Vucic after the EU and USA’s announcement, stated that they received guarantees from the EU and the USA for the fulfillment of the demands of Kosovo Serbs.
Stating that they learned from the EU and the USA that there is no list of the detention or deportation of the Serbs at the barricades, Petkovic said that according to the existing agreements for the Kosovo Security Force to go to the north of Kosovo, NATO’s Peacekeeping Force in Kosovo (KFOR) He also noted that a statement was made on the need to obtain the approval of his commander.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Tensions between Kosovo and Serbia have escalated after the detention of former Serbian police officer Dejan Pantic.
Reacting to Pantic’s detention, Kosovo Serbs have been standing guard at the barricades they set up at the Jarinje and Bernjak border crossings since 10 December.
The EU, NATO and the USA called for the reduction of tensions and the removal of barricades in the north of Kosovo; Serbia has requested NATO’s Kosovo Peacekeeping Force (KFOR) to deploy Serbian army and police in northern Kosovo.
Serbia considers Kosovo, which declared its independence unilaterally in 2008, as its territory.
Serbia and Kosovo, which periodically clash, are trying to find a common way for the normalization of relations and eventually for the two countries to get to know each other, within the scope of the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue Process initiated in 2011 under EU mediation.
Source: AA