The European Union strongly condemned this morning's murder of the leader of the Citizens' Initiative Serbia, Democracy, Justice, Oliver Ivanovic in Kosovska Mitrovica and expressed its condolences to his family - said the spokeswoman for EU foreign policy and security, Maja Kocijančič.
"We expect the relevant Kosovo authorities for the rule of law to spare no effort to find the perpetrators and bring them to justice without delay," she said.
EULEX will support local authorities in accordance with its mandate, added Kocijančič.
The EU "calls on all parties to show calm, to exercise restraint so that the rule of law and justice can take their place".
Kocijančič said that the murder of Ivanovic "must be met with the strongest condemnations".
The EU official said that the session announced for today as part of the technical dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina has been cancelled.
Tači: Law enforcement authorities to shed light on the murder of Ivanovic as quickly as possible
The President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, today strongly condemned the murder of the President of the SDP Civic Initiative, Oliver Ivanović, and requested an immediate investigation into the crime.
"I call on the law enforcement authorities to shed light on the circumstances of his murder as quickly as possible and to bring the perpetrators of the crime to justice," said President Thaci, as reported by his cabinet.
He called on the citizens of Kosovo of all ethnic communities in the north to cooperate with the authorities so that the murder of Oliver Ivanovic could be solved as soon as possible.
Tanin: I am shocked by the murder
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and head of UNMIK Zahir Tanin announced that he was shocked by this morning's murder of the leader of the civil initiative SDP Oliver Ivanovic near his office in northern Kosovska Mitrovica and strongly condemned the act.
He added that he believed that the investigating authorities would work quickly and efficiently.
"I believe that all international agencies on the ground are ready to support the authorities in any way that could help the quick arrest of the persons responsible for this crime," Tanin said, as reported by UNMIK.
Tanin expressed his deepest condolences to the family and friends of Oliver Ivanovic "on his own behalf and on behalf of the entire UN family".
DSS: The security of the Serbian people is not nearly as it is presented to the public
The Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) announced that the tragic fate of the president of the GI SDP, Oliver Ivanović, who was killed this morning in Kosovska Mitrovica, is a brutal reminder that the state of security of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija is not nearly as it is presented to the public.
In a statement, the DSS stated that it was shocked by the news that Ivanovic was brutally executed in front of his party premises.
"It is necessary to change the policy of the state regarding the issue of Kosovo and Metohija and make sincere efforts to achieve the unity of the Serbian people on this issue, regardless of all the differences on other political issues," the announcement states.
It is added that the murder of Oliver Ivanovic is the last in a series of unsolved crimes committed in the north of Kosovo and Metohija in recent years.
"It is the duty of the state of Serbia to engage immediately, fully and most energetically so that this crime does not go unpunished. This is the only way to change the current atmosphere of fear and insecurity that reigns in our nation and ensure its survival in this part of Serbia," she stated. DSS.
Radulović: A rare voice of reason was killed
The president of the Dosta je bilo movement (DJB), Saša Radulović, expressed his condolences to the family of Oliver Ivanović on his Twitter account today and added that he expects the reaction of the competent authorities in order to "quickly arrest the murderer and the masterminds".
"A rare voice of reason in Kosovo and Metohija was killed this morning in Kosovska Mitrovica. Condolences to the family of Oliver Ivanovic. Their loss is immeasurable, we all lost too," said Radulović.
Radulović added that the reaction of the competent authorities is expected.
"We are waiting for the authorities. The only thing acceptable is the quick arrest of the murderers and the masterminds. Words are cheap. Keep them to yourself. Actions," he said.
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