Belgrade: EULEX must stop all violence in Kosovo
Serbia's Minister for Kosovo Goran Bogdanovic met with EULEX officials in Brussels on Monday, and asked for the mission to prevent all violence and "rein in" Kosovo Albanian authorities in Pristina. The Council of the European Union has announced that it would extend the mandate of the EU mission in Kosovo, EULEX, until June 2012.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Bogdanovic also asked for better communication and coordination of the mission with the state organs in Belgrade.
The EU mission officially received permission to deploy in the province in late 2008.
Bogdanovic stressed that "no plan for integration of northern Kosovo" was acceptable either for Serbs in the province, or official Belgrade.
A plan to bring the norther, predominantly Serb areas under Pristina's control was announced earlier this year by the Kosovo Albanian authorities and the International Civilian Office (ICO).
"In the last few months we have seen Pristina make a number of unilateral moves, demonstrating violence against Serbs south of the Ibar River, with the goal of pressuring them additionally, and making the position of the remaining Serb population even more difficult," Bogdanovic said as he met with EULEX chief Yves de Kermabon.
"Serbia is ready to continue with cooperation pragmatically and constructively, but we will not accept imposing of unilateral decisions, and creation of an artificial balance between the north and the south of the province," the minister was quoted as saying.
Bogdanovic insisted that EULEX must consistently adhere to its mandate, implementing powers that stem from it, but with "unconditional status-neutrality".
The meeting also focused on all "open issues regarding the relation between Belgrade and EULEX", but also the situation in Kosovo, said reports.
As he met with Kermabon, Bogdanovic discussed issues related to justice, police and customs, and those concerning operations of Belgrade-based mobile phone companies in Kosovo.
