The NATO-led KFOR mission, which has been maintaining control between citizens and Kosovo’s special forces in all four northern municipalities since this morning, has urged all parties to refrain from actions that could incite tensions and provoke escalation.
Thousands of citizens in three northern municipalities, as announced last night, have been in front of municipal buildings since morning. These buildings were seized on Friday by a large force of special Kosovo police.
Currently, KFOR has the situation entirely under control. They manage this not only with the deployed units but also through crisis negotiations on the ground.
In Zvečan, a KFOR representative first talked to one side and then to the other.
KFOR members also stand between citizens and police in Leposavić and Zubin Potok.
Additionally, an increased presence of KFOR has been noticed in Kosovska Mitrovica since the early morning hours.
Apart from confirming that they have been in the northern municipalities with increased capacity since this morning, the mission highlights that they are there to ensure a safe environment for all communities in Kosovo.
„The goal of KFOR’s presence is to ensure a secure and safe environment and freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo, in accordance with its mandate from the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 from 1999.“
In line with this, they are prepared to take all necessary actions to ensure a safe environment in a neutral and impartial manner.
They confirm that they are in constant communication with security organizations in Kosovo and also with the General Staff of the Serbian Army.
The same was previously stated by the Serbian Minister of Defense, Miloš Vučević, who, however, expressed doubt that KFOR is on the ground today to „protect the police.“
They are also in discussions with EULEX and the entire international community.
Finally, they called for parties to return to dialogue as the source of resolution.
„KFOR calls on Belgrade and Pristina to engage in EU-led dialogue to reduce tensions and as the only path towards peace and normalization,“ emphasized representatives from the mission.
Read more:
Protests Break Out in Three Municipalities in Northern Kosovo, KFOR secures the scene
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