The Heads of the EU Office in Kosovo/EU Special Representative, the EULEX and the EU Missions in Kosovo welcome the statement issued yesterday by the Chief Observer of the EU Election Observation Mission, Mr Alojz Peterle.

In addition, the Heads of the EU Office in Kosovo/EU Special Representative, the EULEX and the EU Missions in Kosovo express concern over reported incidents of intimidation and pressure, such as those witnessed over the past days in the north and elsewhere in Kosovo.

"We reiterate the need for all political actors to refrain from practices that run contrary to democratic principles and strictly abide by the law.

For us, Kosovo’s right to choose its own leaders, without fear or interference, is a sacred principle. Anything less than that is not the democracy that people in Kosovo expect and deserve," said EU officials.