Kosovo is “on the brink of armed conflict”, according to the Serbian Prime Minister

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic spoke of the risk of an armed conflict in northern Kosovo, pointing to the measures taken by Pristina.

REUTERS - OGNEN TEOFILOVSKY

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Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic spoke of the risk of an armed conflict in northern Kosovo, pointing to the measures taken by Pristina.

The population of Kosovo's northern region, overwhelmingly Serb, have been blocking traffic and erecting barricades in the area for thirteen days.

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 With our correspondent in Belgrade

, 

“

,” Kosovo's capital, Brnabic told a conference with Serbian NGOs.

Since December 10, the

 after the authorities in Pristina wanted to organize partial municipal elections in the region, while the idea of ​​this election was rejected by Serbia.

The standoff between Pristina and Belgrade, which has led to almost monthly crises since last summer, is the result of two opposing views on the place of the Serb minority in Kosovo.

For Pristina, the Serbs of Kosovo should not benefit from any particular rights, while for Belgrade, the Serbs must be able to organize their community.

Symbol of this organization: the association of Serbian municipalities, whose establishment Pristina has blocked since 2013 after having nevertheless accepted the principle of the Brussels agreements.

Belgrade does not recognize Kosovo's independence

Populated overwhelmingly by Albanians, the former Serbian province of 1.8 million inhabitants declared its independence in 2008, which Serbia does not recognize.

Belgrade encourages the Serbs in Kosovo to challenge the local authorities, at a time when Pristina wants to establish its sovereignty over the whole territory.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said it on Wednesday: the barricades will be lifted after the creation of the community of municipalities.

This creation is supported by the international community, which nevertheless wants the blockade to be lifted.

A confused situation that does not yet allow us to see an end to the crisis. 

And for its part, the peacekeeping force in Kosovo (Kfor), led by NATO, has reinforced its presence in the north by sending additional troops and patrols there.

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• Serbia

• Kosovo

• Aleksandar Vucic