Dividing lines

European Union mediator Robert Cooper met with Serbian officials Monday to discuss unrest in Serb-majority northern Kosovo.

Brussels has urged both sides to show "maximum restraint" in avoiding further escalation of violence after ethnic Serbs set alight a border post.

It was the worst violence for several months in the area, sparked by a Kosovo police operation to take control of border crossings. Northern Kosovo is a traditional flashpoint: the ethnic Serb community there, backed by Belgrade, fiercely rejected the declaration of independence from Serbia by Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority back in 2008.

The flare-up over the border posts came after the Kosovo government in Pristina sent special police units north to enforce a ban on Serbian imports.

The violence on the part of protesters wielding iron rods and throwing petrol bombs was condemned Borko Stefanovic, a top Serbian official sent to mediate in Kosovo.

"We were appalled by this act," said Stefanovic. "Obviously it's a bunch of extremists, thugs and criminals. What they did is against the interest of Serbian people in Kosovo."

Differing realities

However, Stefanovic also condemned the police operation, claiming it was an unrealistic attempt by the southern Albanians to impose their will on Serbians in the north.

"There is the reality of the north of Kosovo. And it's different from the reality in the south and we all know it. We accept the reality that Albanians don't want to live under sovereignty of Serbia. They have to accept that people here don't want to live under their rule."

Yet Kosovo's government rules out giving up any claim on the northern part of the country. Kosovo's Interior Minister, Bajram Rexhepi has rejected criticism from the EU of its recent police operation.

"We will not step back in our legitimate right to control all of territory of Kosovo," said Rexhepi, adding that Kosovo - recognized by only 77 countries worldwide - was determined to assert its sovereignty. "This is reality regardless of whether Serbia and some other countries accept it or not," he said.

Influence of crime gangs grows

With Serbs in the north refusing to cooperate with the police, the influence of criminal gangs is on the increase. Some believe the international community must increase its presence in the north, particularly through EULEX, the EU's rule of law mission in Kosovo.

"The north is driven by organized crime, illegal arms and criminals," said Naim Rashiti, of the think tank International Crisis Group. "It's completely ungovernable and a black hole. The EU is here to provide a safe, secure environment."

However the latest stand-off ends, it seems, the deep problems afflicting northern Kosovo risk destabilizing this corner of Europe for years to come.

Author: Mark Lowen, Belgrade / rc
Editor: Andreas Illmer