Petkovic: Kurti has come clean about not wanting talks

BELGRADE - The head of the Serbian government Office for Kosovo-Metohija Petar Petkovic said on Monday Pristina's PM Albin Kurti had come clean about not wanting any talks, dialogue or compromise by saying he did not want to even start work on a statute for a Community of Serb Municipalities.

Speaking at a press conference, Petkovic said everything Kurti was doing was aimed at covering up the fact EU foreign policy and security chief Josep Borrell had said clearly in Brussels Pristina was the sole culprit for a failure of dialogue.

Petkovic noted that Pristina had been refusing to implement the Community for more than a decade now.

Kurti does not want the Community and does not want to talk about de-escalaction, he said.

"(Serbian President Aleksandar) Vucic is clearly ready for compromise and dialogue as that is the only way to protect the Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija. Since June 3, the day since which the EU has been requesting an urgent and immediate de-escalation, we have had 22 escalatory moves by Pristina against Kosovo-Metohija Serbs," he said.

"Instead of complying with the EU's request from a June 3 statement, in which it requested a withdrawal of 'Kosovo Police' and a start of procedures for holding elections and establishing the Community of Serb Municipalities, Kurti has no intention whatsoever of going in that direction," Petkovic said.