The European Commission on Saturday threatened Serbia and Kosovo with punitive measures unless they take steps to prevent further violence, after dozens of members of the international peacekeeping mission KFOR in Kosovo were injured in clashes with Serbian demonstrators who do not recognize the results of local elections that Serbs boycotted in northern Kosovo.

Violent clashes between Serbian protesters and law enforcement agencies in northern KosovoPhoto: AA/ABACA / Abaca Press / Profimedia

“The lack of de-escalation of tensions will lead to negative consequences,” said the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, in a statement sent by the European Commission, DPA and Agerpres reported.

The same text calls for calm to be restored in northern Kosovo, where this week Serbian demonstrators attacked KFOR troops with rocks and Molotov cocktails during protests in the village of Zvečan, injuring more than 50 Serbian protesters and 30 Hungarian and Italian soldiers. contingent.

In a statement released on Saturday, Brussels also threatened Belgrade and Pristina with “decisive measures”, without elaborating. But such measures could consist, for example, in reducing financial aid to Serbia and Kosovo, which both seek to join the EU, or in reducing cooperation.

“Violence is avoidable and must be avoided in the future,” said the message signed by Borrell, who also asked both sides to “stop divisive rhetoric and refrain from other uncoordinated actions.”

Serbs, the majority in northern Kosovo, reject Kosovo’s 2008 declaration of independence from Serbia and refused to participate in local elections in April, in which Albanian candidates won four municipalities. Due to the Serbian boycott, the turnout was only 3.5%. Therefore, ethnic Serbs say they will not accept mayors who do not represent them.

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