UPDATE - US calls on Kosovo, Serbia to take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

OSLO, Norway (AA) - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday called on both Kosovo and Serbia to take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions.

Blinken's remarks came during a press conference after the informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Norway's capital, Oslo.

"We call on the governments of Kosovo and Serbia to take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions," he said.

The escalation in clashes will move both Kosovo and Serbia in the "wrong direction," he said, and urged both sides to act responsibly.

Voicing support for the process of Euro-Atlantic integration for Kosovo and Serbia, he underlined that "the current escalation hinders rather than helps the efforts to move in that direction."

"If either country is taking steps that actually make that a more distant prospect, that’s actually not going to serve the interests of their people," he added.

Tensions have gripped Kosovo with protestors and security forces clashing in the northern Serb-dominated municipalities over the election of ethnic Albanian mayors. At least 30 NATO soldiers were injured in the clashes.

According to hospital sources, more than 53 civilians were injured by shock bombs and tear gas.

On Ukraine, the top diplomat said that Kyiv may expect a comprehensive package of military and diplomatic support at the NATO summit in July in Lithuania.

Regarding Sweden's NATO bid, Blinken said the US "fully anticipates" Sweden's admission at the Vilnius Summit.

Sweden, along with Finland, applied for NATO membership soon after the start of the Ukraine war in February 2022. Finland joined the alliance in April, while Sweden is still making reforms to obtain membership.

Blinken also announced that Washington will open its northernmost diplomatic station in the Norwegian Arctic town of Tromsoe.

"To deepen our own engagement in the high north, I am announcing today the United States will be opening an American presence post in Tromsoe," he said in response to a question.

Having a presence post in Tromsoe means having a diplomatic footprint above the Arctic Circle for the US, he added.