General documents - Kosovo and Serbia: leading MEPs call for continued dialogue to reduce tensions - Delegation for relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo

In light of the deeply worrying developments in recent days on the Kosovo-Serbia border, leading MEPs issued this statement.

"We are deeply concerned about the recent tensions at the Jarinje and Brnjak border crossings. Serbia and Kosovo must urgently find a peaceful and sustainable solution in order to ensure the security and safety of all citizens.

We wish to see the withdrawal of special police and any army units and the dismantling of roadblocks. Unilateral actions and provocations and inflammatory rhetoric, which increase tensions and affect the wellbeing of local communities, should stop. We call on the EU and its partners to continue to work on de-escalating the crisis and we urge the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo to use the platform of the EU-facilitated Dialogue to resolve all open issues, including those related to freedom of movement.

We reiterate that the normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo is a precondition for the EU accession of both countries, and is also essential for securing stability and prosperity in the wider region. We urge both sides to actively and constructively re-engage in the EU-facilitated dialogue led by the EU Special Representative, seeking a comprehensive, sustainable and legally binding agreement."

Vladimír BILČÍK (EPP, SK), Standing Rapporteur for Serbia

Viola VON CRAMON-TAUBADEL (Greens/EFA, DE), Standing Rapporteur for Kosovo

Tanja FAJON (S&D, SL), Chair of the Delegation to the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee

Romeo FRANZ (Greens/EFA, DE), Chair of the Delegation for relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo