EU: Police action in Pristina at the offices of the Postal Savings Bank leads to escalation, jeopardizing negotiations.

BRUSSELS – The European Union has expressed concern over the actions of the Kosovo police in the branches of the Postal Savings Bank in the north, stating that the closure and confiscation of these offices, without prior notice or coordination just days after the dialogue in Brussels, represent an escalation and are contrary to the spirit of normalization of relations.

As EU spokesman Peter Stano stated in a statement, the EU noted with concern the police operation at the offices of the Postal Savings Bank in the north of Kosovo and assessed that this operation demonstrates that the Kosovo authorities prioritize “unilateral and uncoordinated actions more than cooperation with friends and allies”. “The closure and confiscation of these offices without prior notification or coordination and just a few days after the last meeting within the framework of the dialogue, which also covered the issue of the premises of the Postal Savings Bank, is escalating and contrary to the spirit of normalization and undermines the goodwill of Kosovo to achieve normalization of relations through dialogue”, Stano said. He added that “again uncoordinated actions by one of the parties have jeopardized the implementation of the Agreement on the path to normalization”.

He also highlighted that this operation by the Kosovo police jeopardizes the ongoing negotiations on a temporary solution for people negatively affected by the regulation of the Central Bank of Kosovo on cash transactions. Stano judged that this move, in the constant absence of sustainable alternatives, will have negative effects on daily life and living conditions of Serbs and other communities eligible for financial transfers from Serbia. “The operation on Monday again proves that the Kosovo authorities give priority to unilateral and uncoordinated actions, rather than cooperation with their friends and allies,” Stano said. He added that it is anticipated that the status of all structures and services supported by Belgrade will be resolved within the framework of the dialogue led by the EU, concerning the establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities. “The EU appeals to Kosovo and Serbia to return to the negotiating table and to agree with the latest compromise proposal presented by the EU mediator, which allows qualified recipients to receive financial transfers from Serbia”, Stano said. Previously, at a press briefing in Brussels, when asked by Tanjug how the EU comments on this incursion by the Kosovo police and what it plans to do about it, he said it was an event that “is very unhelpful”. (May 21st)