Kosovo vows to end chaos and integrate Serb north

Since the end of the Kosovo 1998-1999 conflict, the northern area bordering Serbia proper has been the scene of deep tensions.

PRISTINA, March 4, 2010 (AFP) - Kosovo's government Thursday vowed to bring security and economic development to the flashpoint north as it presented an integration strategy for Serbs who do not recognise Pristina's authority.

"The decade-long chaos must be ended. We should not allow the situation in the north of the country to keep our European future as a hostage," said Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, presenting the strategy in the parliament as a joint Kosovo and international project.

According to the prime minister, the plans to integrate the north would focus on strengthening the rule of law, empowering legally elected local authorities and economic development of the area.

"This attempt means expanding presence of the European Union - EULEX in the north along with strengthening the Kosovo police in that part as the main part of the strategy for the north," Thaci said.

The prime minister added that the strengthening and expansion of the security forces should be interpreted as a hostile move and they would be committed avoid confrontation.

Since the end of the Kosovo 1998-1999 conflict, the northern area bordering Serbia proper has been the scene of deep tensions and inter-ethnic clashes.

The main city in the area, Kosovska Mitrovica, has been divided into an ethnic Albanian-populated south side and Serb-populated north connected by a bridge.

Post-war Kosovo has been overseen by the United Nations and, since December 2008, a European Union mission known as EULEX, which is designed to reinforce law and order.

Thaci said the strategy provided for the establishment of a separate municipality in North Mitrovica.

It would "improve the climate of cooperation between our government and the citizens there by always keeping local ownership and control."

Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in February 2008 and it is recognised by 65 countries, including the US and the majority of the EU.

Backed by its traditional ally Russia, Serbia opposes the move.

It encourages Serbs to boycott Kosovo state institutions, and finances a separate political, social, educational and health system in the north.

The situation in the north deteriorated after the independence proclamation because around 40,000 strong Serb community rejected the move, cutting off relations with the institutions of Kosovo, recognising only Serbia's authority over the territory.