The NATO secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, has called on Kosova to reduce tensions with Serbia. This reaction comes after violent clashes between the Kosova police and Serbian protesters who opposed the entering in office of Albanian mayors in the north of the country, after the partial local elections.

Stoltenberg, said that he had spoken with the EU head of foreign policy, Josep Borrell about Kosova and that Prishtina and Belgrade should be involved in the dialogue led by the European Union.

“Prishtina must de-escalate and not take unilateral destabilizing steps,” Stoltenberg said in a tweet.

On Friday, three of the four mayors were escorted by police to their offices. Protesters threw stones at the authorities, who responded with tear gas to disperse the angry crowds.

The situation remained tense on Sunday with heavily armed police in armored vehicles guarding the mayors’ offices.

/a.p./