Albania denounces Serbs’ referendum to reject Kosovo rule

TIRANA, Feb. 15 – The Albanian Foreign Ministry expressed concern on the referendum “organized from Serb parallel structure, inspired by Belgrade.”
“Though illegal and without any juridical effect, such a referendum does not serve the interest of the ethnic communities to get fully integrated into the social, economic and political life of Republic of Kosovo’s society,” a statement said Wednesday.
“Holding of that referendum does not serve the climate of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, a necessary process to resolve important issues for Kosovo’s and Serbia’s citizens, and a qualitative indicator of their maturity in the process of European integration.”
Serbs in northern Kosovo voted Tuesday and Wednesday in a referendum that is likely to overwhelmingly reject Kosovo’s ethnic Albanian rule, further hindering Serbia’s attempts to join the European Union.
The EU, and even Serbia — which does not recognize Kosovo’s declaration of independence in 2008-urged the Serbs not to stage the two-day referendum that asks whether they accept Kosovo’s government.
Kosovo’s government blamed Serbia for setting up the vote that it said was an illegal act aimed at undermining Kosovo’s statehood.
In Brussels, the EU said it was preparing for a new round of talks between Belgrade and Pristina aimed at easing tensions in northern Kosovo.
“There is a particular situation in the north that needs a solution, but neither violence nor barricades, or a referendum contributes to it,” EU spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic said. “Only a dialogue can achieve that.”
Kosovo Serb leaders are mostly members of Serbian nationalist parties that want close relations with Russia and are against joining the EU.
They want to split the northern region of Kosovo, which is under their control, and reunify it with Serbia. They see the referendum as a step in that direction.
87 countries have so far recognized the independence of Kosovo, including the United States and most EU nations.