Lajcak, Escobar meet Kosovo Serb representatives

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The US and European Union (EU) envoys for Kosovo, Gabriel Escobar and Miroslav Lajcak, met in Northern Mitrovica with representatives the Serb List, the strongest Kosovo Serb political party.

Following the meeting, (EU) Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue Lajcak said there are many speculations about the decision on the license plates, and that the international community’s message is that the situation on August 31 cannot be the same as that on July 31, which is why the two envoys are having meetings in Belgrade and Pristina.

The two-hour meeting, which was held behind closed doors, was attended by the mayors of the four majority-Serb municipalities in the north of Kosovo, Mitrovica North, Zvecan, Leposavic and Zubin Potok and by the Serb List leader and Kosovo Minister, Goran Rakic, Kossev reported.

Lajcak said he and the US Special Envoy for Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar are doing all they can to prevent a repeat of the barricades and to ensure that people are not afraid for their lives.

I am here to do everything with our friends so there are no barricades, no unrest, no injuries, and so people can live in peace. I am an optimist, I have to be, I would not have come here if I weren’t, said Lajcak.

He said he expects September 1 to be a normal day, and added that a meeting between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti will soon be held.

Whatever decision is made, Serbs are at its center, because every bad decision makes their lives worse, and every good decision improves their living conditions, said Lajcak.

Escobar said they considered the north Kosovo mayors’ concerns, that his and Lajcak’s mission continues in Belgrade, adding he hopes they will be able to issue a statement in Belgrade later in the day.