Petkovic: Kurti wants to provoke war, occupation has begun

BELGRADE - The head of the Serbian government Office for Kosovo-Metohija Petar Petkovic said on Friday Pristina's PM Albin Kurti wanted to openly provoke war and expel Serbs from Kosovo-Metohija and that an occupation by Kurti and Erden Atic, the so-called mayor of the north of Kosovska Mitrovica, had begun.

At a press conference, Petkovic said a flag of the so-called Kosovo, put up on the municipality building prior to Atic's swearing-in earlier in the day, was a symbol of occupation.

Petkovic noted that it was a "rag" and not a flag for the Serbs, and added that it would remain in place for only as long as the occupation lasted.

"That means, not for a long time, because history itself teaches us that there comes an end to every occupation, and this one will end when the Serbs decide," Petkovic said.

He added that a conversation between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and EU special envoy Miroslav Lajcak was underway.

"Vucic warned Lajcak of all the consequences of Kurti's behaviour and provocations, which can escalate into a fresh crisis, and that they (Pristina) want to expel the Serbs and provoke a war in the most open way possible," Petkovic said.