PACE adopts resolution on situation in Balkans

"The Assembly urges the authorities in Belgrade and Priština to resume the EU-mediated dialogue on all outstanding issues in a spirit of cooperation and reconciliation, including the situation in North Kosovo," the Resolution 1839 dubbed "The political situation in the Balkans" reads.

"Everything must be done to ensure that North Kosovo does not remain a black hole in the Western Balkans outside the control of the authorities in both Priština and Belgrade," it is said in the resolution published on PACE website.

PACE "deeply regrets the most recent acts of violence involving KFOR" and demands an urgent and objective investigation into the incident at Jarinje "when six individuals were shot."

"PACE calls on the people in northern Kosovo to act with restraint and to cooperate without delay and in a constructive manner with the KFOR and the European Union Rule of Law mission in Kosovo (EULEX), and on the authorities in Priština to respond positively and sensitively to any legitimate concerns of the minorities in the region," the resolution reads.

PACE assessed that violent clashes in northern Kosovo on the administrative checkpoints with Serbia were blocking progress in the EU-mediated talks between Pristina and Belgrade.

PACE has also called on the Council of Europe member states to urge the authorities in Belgrade and Priština to seek a peaceful solution to the northern Kosovo issue. PACE also called on its Presidential Committee to consider a mission in the region to intensify the dialogue and overcome the tensions.

The Assembly pointed out that "the priorities of the regional and international actors in the region must remain security, stability, respect for human rights, in full compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244."