Premier Giorgia Meloni on Monday
expressed her "strongest condemnation" of the attack against the
NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) during clashes between ethnic Serb
protesters and Kosovar police in northern Kosovo in which 41
peacekeepers including 14 Italian soldiers were hurt.
"What is happening is absolutely unacceptable and
irresponsible," said Meloni.
"We will not tolerate further attacks," she continued, calling
on all parties involved to take "an immediate step back in order
to contribute to the easing of tensions". "The Italian
government is totally committed to peace and stability in the
Western Balkans is maximum and we will continue to work with our
allies," concluded Meloni.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister and Deputy Premier Antonio Tajani
called Serbian President Aleksandr Vucic and Kosovo Prime
Minister Albin Kurti to demand an immediate end to "all violence
and provocation".
"Kosovo and Serbia must fully implement the agreements they have
signed through the facilitation of the European Union. Violence
is unacceptable. Italy wants to contribute to reach a
sustainable solution in northern Kosovo very soon," he said.
The KFOR peacekeeping troops were injured on Monday in clashes
with Serb protesters trying to prevent ethnic Albanian mayors
elected on April 26 from taking office.
Some of the Italians injured were hit by Molotov cocktails while
others suffered fractures, KFOR said.
Three Italian nationals were said to be in a "serious but not
life-threatening condition", official sources said.
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