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EEAS: Kosovo’s closure of Serbia-supported structures goes against its obligations under the normalisation process

European External Action Service EEAS; Photo: EEAS

BRUSSELS – “Kosovo’s recent actions against and closure of Serbia-supported structures, conducted in the midst of the election campaign for the 9 February parliamentary elections, go against its obligations towards the European Union under the normalisation process”, reads a statement released today by the European External Action Service (EEAS).

EULEX is monitoring the conduct of these recent actions in accordance with its mandate, the statement adds.

“The status of Serbia-supported structures is foreseen to be resolved through the EU-facilitated Dialogue. Kosovo must demonstrate and remain consistent with its obligations under the EU-facilitated Dialogue and its recent recommitment to it”, the statement reads.

It adds that, while, as stated in the 2024 Council conclusions on enlargement, the EU will gradually lift the measures vis-à-vis Kosovo in parallel with further steps by Kosovo to de-escalate the tensions in the north, these actions are not conducive to this goal.

In today’s action, Kosovo police closed down 19 services of the Serbian state in the Serb-majority municipalities south of the Ibar river. The police described the action as “cessation of activities of certain illegal institutions”.

“The era of parallel municipalities and criminal institutions of Serbia in Kosovo is over… As we promised, we will not allow any dualism, especially criminal activity in Serbia that would threaten the Constitution and legality in our country”, said Xhelal Sveçla, Minister of the Interior.

Miroslav Lajčák, EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, stated today that there was an intention to hold the first meeting of the Joint Commission on Missing Persons on the level of deputies, but that it did not take place due to these developments.

“I met separately with both Parties. Kosovo presented its priorities. Serbia informed about not participating in a joint meeting due to the developments in Kosovo”, Lajčák wrote in a post on X.

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