EU, NATO urge Kosovo to de-escalate, not take unilateral, destabilizing steps

BELGRADE, Serbia

EU foreign police chief Josep Borrell Sunday said that the bloc and NATO have urged Kosovo authorities to de-escalate the tension in northern municipalities where ethnic Serbs live.

Borrell said he spoke with NATO's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg about the situation in the north of Kosovo.

“We agree that Pristina must de-escalate and not take unilateral, destabilizing steps. (We) Appreciate the continuous good coordination between European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo EULEX and NATO's Kosovo Force (KFOR) in ensuring a safe and secure environment,” said Borrell.

Tension rose between Belgrade and Pristina on Friday after police in Kosovo clashed with local Serbs who gathered in front of the municipal building to block the newly elected ethnic Albanian mayor from entering his office.

Police in riot gear were deployed around the premises, along with the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo and NATO Kosovo Forces personnel.

Stun grenades and tear gas injured at least 10 people after a police vehicle was set on fire and automatic gunfire was heard, according to media reports.

Serbia ordered its army Friday to advance to the border with Kosovo and urged NATO to stop the violence against local Serbs in Kosovo.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic urged the army and security forces to be combat-ready.