TIRANA, June 19 – The European Union on Monday told the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo to attend crisis talks “without preconditions”, as the bloc looks to pressure them to ease tensions.
The EU’s foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell has so far got no response to an invitation to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo’s premier Albin Kurti to meet in Brussels this week, reported AFP on Monday.
Brussels’ mediation push comes as tensions have flared again over the detention of three Kosovo police officers by Serbia.
Vucic said on Sunday talks with Kurti were “pointless” until Serb demands were met, but he did not rule out attending.
Kurti said he was waiting for Kosovan representatives to get access to the detained police before agreeing.
“The date of the meeting has not been set yet, because the parties have not confirmed their attendance so far,” said EU foreign affairs spokesman Peter Stano.
“We expect them to show a reasonable attitude and to come to Brussels and to make the necessary efforts to de-escalate, and we take it from there depending on whether the meeting happens and how it goes.”
Stano said the leaders were expected “to come without preconditions” and pointed to two upcoming meetings where EU states could discuss measures against the two sides if they don’t cooperate.
The detention of the police officers is the latest flare-up after weeks of tension between the two sides over disputed elections in Serb-majority northern Kosovo.
In the meantime Kurti said that he is waiting for information about the detained police officers from the Head of the Liaison Office in Belgrade, Jetish Jashari, after his visit of the detained police officers.
“When I have the information on this visit of our three policemen who are being held hostage in Serbia as revenge for the fight against organized crime and corruption in Kosovo, I will make the decision and give the notice for the meeting in Brussels. [Jashar’s] visit is planned for the next day (Tuesday) and I will be in contact with the ambassador to inform me about the situation of these policemen who are being held captive in Serbia,” said Kurti. /argumentum.al
