Possible new elections in northern Kosovo

(Patria) - Kosovo is open to the possibility of new elections in four predominantly Serb northern municipalities after the unrest, but other steps need to be taken before that, Kosovo's Minister of Foreign Affairs Donika Gervalla-Schwarz said today.

Violence flared when Kosovo authorities installed ethnic Albanian mayors in the municipalities after they won elections with a 3.5 percent turnout, angering Serbs who form the majority in the region and who boycotted the local elections.

Gervalla-Schwarz said in a statement after meeting with the Czech Foreign Minister in Prague that an end to violence is the first condition for considering new elections.

- Yes, we are open to elections in these four municipalities, but for new elections, we need intermediate steps because holding new elections without the other side declaring that they will boycott them again makes no sense - Gervalla-Schwarz said.

She accused Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić of playing a role in the recent violence, wanting to "destabilize Kosovo" and change the "reality of the Balkans".

- I am deeply convinced that this violence is not related to these four municipalities, nor to these elections - she added.

Reinforcements for NATO's peacekeeping forces began arriving in Kosovo this week after the unrest, Hina reports.