By Talha Ozturk
BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) – The Serbian and Kosovo presidents on Thursday met with several European leaders over recent tensions between the two countries.
The meetings came on the sidelines of the European Political Community held in Moldova.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with French President Emmanuel Macron, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
"I thanked President Macron for the firm stance and support he gave to Serbia regarding the recent events. I expressed my concerns about the recent increase in violence in the north of Kosovo," said Vucic.
Vucic also said that Sanchez is a “sincere friend” of Serbia.
Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Macron and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
“The president stressed that Kosovo's efforts to restore order in the north of the country have been challenged by illegal Serb structures, which have turned into criminal gangs backed by (Serbian President Aleksandar) Vucic, who attack the Kosovo police and NATO's Kosovo Peaceke,” said Osmani's office in a statement.
Osmani added that EU countries should take a stance against trends that endanger peace and stability in the region.
The EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell after the meeting called for holding new local elections in northern Kosovo with the participation of Serbs.
“We have 3 clear requests, new local elections now, ensuring the participation of Kosovo Serbs and start the work to establish the Association of Serbian Majority Municipalities w/in EU-facilitated Dialogue,” Borrell said.
“Failure to do so, will have serious consequences for our relations,” he warned.
Tensions have gripped Kosovo as Serbs protested the election of ethnic Albanian mayors in four municipalities last month in the country's northern municipalities.
Ethnic Serbs in the country's northern municipality have been protesting the election of ethnic Albanian mayors since late May.
On Monday, at least 30 soldiers of the NATO-led international peacekeeping mission in Kosovo (KFOR) were injured in clashes with Serbs who were protesting and attempting to prevent the newly-elected mayor of Zvecan municipality in northern Kosovo from entering the town hall to take the oath of office and begin official responsibilities.