The European Union has urged Serbia and Kosovo to hold dialogue for the normalization of relations.

In a statement, the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the tension needs to be de-escalated.

The United States also called for the removal of blockades in Kosovo as the EU announced that it is preparing to send more security forces to the region.

Kosovo broke from Serbia in 1999 and declared independence in 2008. But Serbia has not recognized this and sees its former province as part of its territory.