Blinken: Kosovo Government decision unnecessarily escalated tensions

“The Government of Kosovo’s decision to force access to municipal buildings sharply and unnecessarily escalated tensions,” said a US State Department press statement signed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

It added that Kosovo Prime Minister Kurti and his government should ensure that elected mayors carry out their transitional duties from alternate locations outside municipal buildings, and withdraw police forces from the vicinity.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and the Government of Serbia should lower the security status of Serbian Armed Forces and urge Kosovo Serbs to halt challenges to KFOR and refrain from further violence, it said.

“Both Kosovo and Serbia should immediately recommit to engaging in the EU-facilitated Dialogue to normalize relations,” said the press statement.