EU: Events in Serbia a 'cause for concern'

European Commission spokesperson Ana Pisonero on Thursday said the fresh lockdown in Serbia due to a spike in coronavirus cases was "cause for concern", but that a planned Belgrade-Pristina dialogue planned for Sunday would still go ahead.

Serbia announced this week it  would be bringing in restrictions following a surge in cases of the new coronavirus, prompting clashes between police and anti-lockdown protesters.

Serbia's crisis team is expected to ban gatherings in the capital, Belgrade, and limit the operations of cafes and nightclubs, but have not yet confirmed whether they will reintroduce the weekend curfew.

European Commission spokeswoman Ana Pisonero told reporters in Brussels on Thursday that "people's lives and health should be the first priority" and that it is "for the government to determine, of course, the necessary measures to address the COVID-19 risks."

While she defended the "right to peaceful protest" she said that "public order must also be guaranteed" and that "the inviolability of the democratic institutions must be respected and preserved."