NATO's peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, KFOR, has called for the avoidance of "escalating actions and rhetoric" between Kosovo and Serbia.

This mission assessed that the elections in the four municipalities with Serbian majority passed without incident.

"Throughout the time, KFOR has been in close contact with all interested parties and has monitored the situation on the ground," says a statement regarding the April 23 elections in the four northern municipalities.

These elections were widely boycotted by the Serbian population and turnout, according to the Central Election Commission (CEC), was only 3.47 percent.

"The normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina is essential for sustainable security throughout Kosovo and stability in the Western Balkans region," the KFOR statement continues.

According to the preliminary results, the race for mayor in North Mitrovica and Leposaviq was won by the candidates of the Vetëvendosje Movement, while in Zveçan and Zubin Potok those of the Democratic Party of Kosovo won.