Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. Photo: Darko Vojinovic/Beta/AP

President Vucic claimed on Friday in an open letter to Kosovo Serbs that Pristina will “not lift a finger” to establish the promised Association of Serb Majority Municipalities in Kosovo as agreed in the EU-mediated Belgrade-Pristina talks on normalising relations.

Amid heightened tensions between Belgrade and Pristina in recent days, Vucic also said that Serbia would “protect” Kosovo Serbs and will not stand for “organised violence” against them.

“Today Serbia is ready to fulfil its obligation to you and protect your lives and your peace, if necessary,” Vucic said in the letter.

The Serbian president also demanded that NATO’s Kosovo force KFOR protect the Gazivode hydropower plant and other facilities in Kosovo run by Serbs.

Earlier on Friday, Vucic called an urgent meeting of the National Security Council on Saturday over allegations that Kosovo authorities might try to take control over the Gazivode hydropower plant.

Maja Kocijancic, EU spokesperson, said that “the EU continuously works with both sides to ensure implementation of this and all agreements reached within the EU facilitated Dialogue.” “Both Parties agreed on the clear parameters and timelines, including drafting of the statute of the Association/Community within four months of the start of the work by the Management Team. “Once the Management Team officially informs the EU of the status of their work, this will be taken up at the next High Level meeting in Brussels. “We understand the work is still ongoing,” Kocijancic said. “At a time when both sides are fully engaged with the EU High Representative/Vice-President in defining a legally binding agreement on comprehensive normalisation, the EU expects that – as agreed by the two Presidents during the last high level meeting of the Dialogue on 18 July in Brussels – there are no tensions on the ground that would jeopardise the shared objective of the normalisation of relations,” she added. Following the EU press release, the US ambassador to Kosovo, Greg Delawie tweeted that he was “happy to see the EU statement that the draft ASM statute will be discussed at next meeting in Brussels.” “I think that should help us all relax and enjoy a nice weekend,” Delawie wrote.

Saturday is also the deadline by which Pristina is meant to finish the first draft of the statue for the Association of Serb Majority Municipalities.

The Kosovo authorities have said that the deadline will be met, but Vucic expressed scepticism in his letter.

“One day before the deadline… all the warnings and doubts I have been expressing are coming true and being confirmed. Pristina will once again not lift a finger to form the Association of Serb Municipalities,” Vucic said.

The establishment of the association to represent Kosovo Serbs’ interests was envisaged by the Brussels agreement signed by Belgrade and Pristina in 2013, but the idea has been on hold since then.

Vucic called on the Serb population in Kosovo to remain peaceful and “do nothing that individuals among Albanians, or a part of the international community, could use as an excuse to conduct any actions against you”.

Vucic accused unnamed individuals of using threats and spreading rumours among Kosovo Serbs to instil fear and unrest, and make them distrustful of Serbian institutions.

“The challenges ahead require us to be above schisms, manipulations and the targeted disinformation campaign,” Vucic said.

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NOTE: This article has been updated to include Kocijancic’s statement.