The United Nations envoy to Kosovo has warned of apparently "deteriorating" relations between the territory's Serb minority and ethnic Albanian majority.
Envoy Lamberto Zannier, head of the UN Mission In Kosovo, told the UN Security Council on November 12 that while the "overall" situation in Kosovo has remained "stable," there have been recent incidents in northern Kosovo that have highlighted tensions and the potential for instability.
"Continuing incidents in northern Kosovo have highlighted the strong potential for instability there and the urgent need to address the issues that continue to create friction between the communities," Zannier said. "Since the end date of the report, a low level of incidents have persisted, and with them the danger of igniting wider-spread violence."
Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic told the Security Council meeting that his government, which does not recognize Kosovo independence, would not encourage Kosovo's Serbs to vote in next month's elections in the territory.
Kosovo's acting foreign minister, Vlora Citaku, meanwhile called on the Security Council to urge Serbs to vote, despite the Serbian government's objections.
Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence has been recognized by around 70 countries, including the United States and most European nations. But Serbia and its ally Russia continue to reject the territory's separation from Serbia.
compiled from agency reports
Envoy Lamberto Zannier, head of the UN Mission In Kosovo, told the UN Security Council on November 12 that while the "overall" situation in Kosovo has remained "stable," there have been recent incidents in northern Kosovo that have highlighted tensions and the potential for instability.
"Continuing incidents in northern Kosovo have highlighted the strong potential for instability there and the urgent need to address the issues that continue to create friction between the communities," Zannier said. "Since the end date of the report, a low level of incidents have persisted, and with them the danger of igniting wider-spread violence."
Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic told the Security Council meeting that his government, which does not recognize Kosovo independence, would not encourage Kosovo's Serbs to vote in next month's elections in the territory.
Kosovo's acting foreign minister, Vlora Citaku, meanwhile called on the Security Council to urge Serbs to vote, despite the Serbian government's objections.
Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence has been recognized by around 70 countries, including the United States and most European nations. But Serbia and its ally Russia continue to reject the territory's separation from Serbia.
compiled from agency reports