Northern Kosovo, the place many of the ethnic Serb minority lives, has lengthy been a flashpoint of tensions between Pristina and Belgrade.
No less than 4 other folks had been arrested in North Mitrovica after protesting the seek advice from of Top Minister Albin Kurti on Monday, police government mentioned.
Serb activist and opposition Democracy celebration chief Aleksandar Arsenijević used to be amongst the ones arrested, in line with Deputy Police Commander Petrit Fejza.
The newest tensions, over the opportunity of opening the bridge at the Ibar River that divides town into Serb and Albanian portions, had been ongoing for weeks.
Two of 4 border crossings with Serbia had been closed after protesters at the facet of town the place many of the ethnic Serb minority lives blocked the street and averted motorists with Kosovo-issued licence plates from passing thru.
In the meantime, the Kosovo PM took benefit of his stroll in North Mitrovica to speak to Serbian newshounds.
“Now we have an settlement and the settlement will have to be revered, applied. However Belgrade does now not recognise the settlement it agreed to,” Kurti mentioned.
“However the Serbs have learned that this settlement isn’t suitable with the Nice Serbian ideology,” he added.
Northern Kosovo, with a predominantly ethnic Serb inhabitants, has lengthy been a flashpoint of tensions between Pristina and Belgrade.
Serbian activists say they would like Kosovo cops withdrawn from the area. Some have additionally demanded that KFOR, the NATO-led peacekeeping pressure in Kosovo, think regulate.
KFOR spokesperson Colonel Salvatore Mascoli has mentioned any resolution on this admire will have to be taken thru discussion and “efficient coordination with the world group.”
KFOR will handle its “mounted presence at the bridge,” Mascoli mentioned.
Government in Belgrade mentioned they’ll reply to Kurti’s seek advice from by way of Friday. However they have got additionally mentioned that they’re able to proceed the discussion in Brussels within the hope of becoming a member of the EU bloc.
In spite of a 13-year-long discussion, Kosovo-Serbia members of the family stay irritating.