THE EUROPEAN UNION and the United States have urged Kosovo and Serbia to take “immediate” steps to de-escalate tensions amid mounting unrest in their border region.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but Belgrade has refused to recognise it and encouraged Kosovo’s 120,000 ethnic Serbs to defy Pristina’s authority – especially in the north where ethnic Serbs make up the majority. Late Tuesday, dozens of demonstrators on the Serbian side of the border used trucks and tractors to halt traffic leading to Merdare, the biggest crossing between the neighbours – a move which forced Kosovo police to close the entry point today.
“We are all worried about the situation and where all this is going… Serbia is ready for a deal,” Vucevic told state-controlled public broadcaster RTS.Russia backs ally Serbia Northern Kosovo has been on edge since November when hundreds of ethnic Serb workers in the Kosovo police as well as the judicial branch, including judges and prosecutors, walked off the job.
Russia today voiced support for its ally Serbia and said it was “very closely” following the developments while Germany warned against heightened military presence near the Kosovo border.
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