German chancellor urges peaceful solution to Serbia-Kosovo conflict

BERLIN 

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday called for a peaceful solution to the conflict between Serbia and neighboring Kosovo. 

“For me, it is very important that the situation does not escalate further when it comes to Serbia and Kosovo. It's about a peaceful solution and that's what we're very committed to. Germany, France, and Italy are particularly active in this regard,” Scholz said at a joint news conference with Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov.

He added the issue would also be discussed on Thursday and Friday when leaders from nearly 50 European countries meet in Granada, Spain.

Earlier in the day, a German Foreign Ministry spokeswoman called Serbia's withdrawal of troops from the border with Kosovo an "important step," but urged Belgrade to do more to de-escalate tensions with its neighbor.

Talking to the media in Berlin, Kathrin Deschauer said the situation in the region is "quite worrying" in the wake of the latest round of deadly violence in northern Kosovo.

“Serbia has an obligation to unequivocally call for a renunciation of violence. Overall, the situation is of course tense. The first signs of a reduction in Serbian troops are an important step towards de-escalation. That notwithstanding, we want to stress again that further steps towards de-escalation must now be taken," she said.

Meanwhile, Scholz also touched on the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, welcoming mediation efforts led by European Council President Charles Michel, which he described as "actively supporting."

Scholz stressed the “urgent” need to press ahead with the peace process amid what he called a “very difficult situation.”

Earlier, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev refused to attend Thursday's meeting on the Karabakh settlement in Granada, Spain, which is expected to include Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and leaders from the EU, France, and Germany.

Azerbaijan insisted on Türkiye's participation, but Germany and France strongly opposed it, Azerbaijani news agencies reported on Wednesday, citing sources in the presidential administration.

Baku said it does not see the need to participate in negotiations of this format after pro-Armenian statements by French officials, a visit by French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna to Armenia, statements about the supply of weapons and ammunition, and accusations against Azerbaijan by EU Council President Charles Michel.

"Azerbaijan does not need such a format. Baku sees no need to discuss the problems of the region with countries far from the region," the Azerbaijani Presidency was quoted as saying.

Any format in which France participates is unacceptable to Azerbaijan, the reports stressed.

The Azerbaijani army initiated anti-terrorism activities in Karabakh on Sept. 19 to establish constitutional order in the region.

Illegal Armenian armed forces in Karabakh surrendered after the 24-hour counter-terrorism steps.

Following such measures, Azerbaijan, having established full sovereignty in the region, has called on the Armenian population to become part of Azerbaijani society.