EU says Kosovo Serb referendum will not help resolve issues

EU spokesperson says Kosovo Serb referendum planned for mid-February will not help resolve issues.

The spokesperson of the EU foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, said the planned vote in Serb-held areas of Kosovo was another factor delaying a lasting solution to the former province’s problems.

“Violence and barricades solve nothing and nor do referenda. We will get to a solution only through calm, consultation and dialogue,” Maja Kocijancic said.

Kocijancic was referring to a Kosovo Serb announcement that they will call a referendum asking locals whether “they accept the institutions of so-called Republic of Kosovo” in a few weeks’ time.

According to the plans, the referendum will be held on February 15, approximately the same time that the EU Council of Ministers is due to meet in Brussels to discuss Serbia’s EU candidacy bid.