PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) – Kosovo’s Western backers lashed out Thursday at the country’s opposition parties over their “continued use of violence to achieve political goals.”
A joint statement by the embassies of France, Germany, Italy, Britain and the United States called the violence “unacceptable” and said it is damaging Kosovo’s international standing. The five were among the main supporters of Kosovo’s declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008, which is not recognized by Belgrade.
In the past two months, the opposition has disrupted the work of the Parliament with tear gas, pepper spray, whistles and water bottles, demanding that the government renounce a deal with Serbia giving more powers to ethnic-Serb communities in Kosovo and another with Montenegro on border demarcation.
Kosovo and Serbia are holding EU-mediated talks to overcome their differences. Kosovo in 2008 declared independence from Serbia, an act that Serbia still rejects.
One opposition lawmaker was arrested Wednesday and three arrest warrants were issued for other lawmakers.