Political leaders to calm down the tensions

Statement by the EEAS Spokesperson on the events around the election of President of Kosovo*:

“The Assembly of Kosovo elected Hashim Thaçi as President of Kosovo, in a tense and divisive atmosphere. The scenes we have witnessed yesterday in the Assembly on such an occasion are extremely worrying.

Acts of violence in any form and by anyone are unacceptable. Inflammatory rhetoric only deepens the divide and makes a dialogue more difficult.

We expect political leaders of Kosovo to act responsibly and to collectively calm down the tensions.”

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.