Kosovo open to new municipal vote in its north after unrest: FM

Violence has escalated since Kosovo authorities installed ethnic Albanian mayors in four municipalities.

Kosovar Foreign Minister Donika Gervalla-Schwarz said Kosovo is open to the possibility of new elections in four municipalities with a northern Serb majority, but other steps must be taken before then.

Violence has escalated since Kosovo authorities installed ethnic Albanian mayors in the municipalities after they were elected with a turnout of just 3.5 percent.

Gervalla-Schwarz, speaking on Tuesday after a meeting with the Czech foreign minister in Prague, said an end to violence was the first condition for considering new elections.

“Yes, we are open to elections in those four municipalities, but to hold new elections we need intermediate steps,” she said.

She said Kosovo also “needs a commitment from Serbia that they will no longer threaten Kosovo’s Serbian citizens not to participate in the elections,” adding that people should not feel the threat of violence from the mob.

After the unrest, reinforcements for NATO peacekeepers arrived in Kosovo this week.

Kosovo declared its internationally recognized independence from Serbia in 2008, although it was rejected by Belgrade.

Serbs in northern Kosovo seek autonomy for their region under a 2013 agreement that has not been implemented.

Last week, an aide to US President Joe Biden spoke with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, urging Serbia to withdraw military forces stationed near the border and urging protesters to remain peaceful.