Western diplomats disappointed with Serbia for not allowing elections in Kosovo

A joint statement said that it was the right of the Kosovo government to decide whether or not to allow the facilitation of voting in another country’s elections. “While we appreciate Serbia’s readiness to find a solution, with great disappointment we take into account the decision of the Kosovo government to reject a constructive proposal submitted by the ‘Quint’ countries. “With this decision, the Kosovo government failed to demonstrate its commitment to the principle of protecting the civil and political rights of all its citizens, including members of minority groups,” the statement said. “Such a move by the Kosovo government is not in line with the values ​​and principles of Western countries and will undermine its European aspirations.”

The diplomats said in a statement that after Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, “we welcomed the harmonization of Kosovo with the statements and positions adopted by the European Union and Quinti. However, Kosovo is also expected to adhere to its core values ​​and responsibilities towards regional stability, to respect democratic processes, and to be committed to protecting the rights of members of minorities.

The diplomats call on the Kosovo government to act in the interest of all its citizens, work to reduce tensions and engage constructively in the EU-facilitated dialogue to normalize relations with Serbia, while reiterating the call on Kosovo. and Serbia to refrain from any action and rhetoric that raises tensions and could lead to incidents.

But the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti said earlier in the day at a press conference that his government has not taken a decision not to hold Serbian elections in Kosovo.

“But the truth is that there is no preliminary agreement that of course represents the condition for holding those elections that has not been met. We have expected a normal exchange of letters, their request, our treatment, but this has not happened “, said Prime Minister Kurti.

He said that he did not accept that an agreement with Serbia on the organization of the elections be made through liaison officials of both parties.

“I am convinced that the agreement should be through the exchange of letters of the government of Serbia with the government of Kosovo, we are the instances that are the authorities of the respective countries and who would have to agree in order for those elections to take place. As it is, the issue has taken a different direction. “We have expressed our regret but more than that I have nothing to say,” he said.

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vuçi., Said last night that the authorities in Pristina have requested the recognition of Kosovo’s independence to enable the holding of elections in Serbia and that such a request Serbia has not been able and will never accept.

President Vuçi tha said that Kosovo Serbs will be able to participate in the April 3 elections in Serbia, by voting in the municipalities in central Serbia.

On April 3, Serbia held parliamentary and presidential elections while aiming for Kosovo Serbs to participate in the elections.

Serbia’s elections in Kosovo in the past have been facilitated by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s mission. This mission in a response to VOA said that since 2002 it has been collecting votes for the Serbian elections in Kosovo, supported by Kosovo institutions, including the Kosovo Police and KFOR and that this has always been based on mutual agreement between Pristina and Belgrade and the consent of all institutions. “The OSCE Mission in Kosovo continues to be ready to conduct the vote collection provided that this condition is met,” reads the OSCE response.

In recent years, Kosovo has not prevented participation in the elections in Serbia, in areas inhabited by Serbs in Kosovo. In January, the Kosovo government did not allow a Serbian referendum to be held in Kosovo, offering the possibility of doing so through the Serbian post or liaison office in Pristina, which was rejected by Belgrade./VOA

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