New initiative: EU and US jointly mediate between Kosovo and Serbia

The European Union and the United States are working together to defuse the crisis between Serbia and Kosovo.

Western diplomats first met Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurdi in Pristina on Friday to discuss a proposal to mend ties with him a few weeks ago.

At the end of the meeting, EU Ambassador Miroslav Lajcak commented:

“I would like to say here that we look forward to a better understanding of the possibilities that this proposal offers. I hope that we will fully understand and fully utilize the potential of this proposal. We will continue to do this. Theme work.”

After this meeting, the delegation went to Belgrade to meet with Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic.

A large Serb community lives in Kosovo’s north, and friction with Pristina has not abated since the former Serb province declared independence in 2008.

Belgrade has not yet recognized them.

Tensions rose late last year when Kosovo Serbs staged roadblocks to protest the arrest of a former police officer.

KFOR peacekeepers removed the barricades.

A dispute over license plates was settled with a compromise.