President of the Leposavic municipality Branko Ninic stated on Monday that the announced referendum in the municipalities in northern Kosovo should be postponed immediately.

In a statement for Tanjug, Ninic offered three arguments in favour of his proposal: the outcome of the referendum is known in advance, it could slow down Serbia's progress on its EU path, and the Serbs residing in northern Kosovo could be left without the support of the only state which they recognize- the Republic of Serbia.

Ninic said that he is not personally involved in preparations for the referendum in the municipality of Leposavic, and that "by stubbornly opposing the Serbian authorities, we (municipal presidents) are tempting fate, and assuming responsibility for all that might happen to citizens."

"The Serbs from northern Kosovo cannot make it on their own," Ninic warned.

According to Ninic, the warnings given by certain European diplomats, who said that the holding of the referendum in northern Kosovo may have an adverse effect on Serbia's EU integration, should be taken seriously.

"The (political) parties which are staunchly against the country's EU entry should achieve that goal in some other way, and not at the expense of Kosovo Serbs," the municipal president said.

On February 14-15, four municipalities in northern Kosovo are due to hold the referendum, at which citizens will voice their opinion as to whether they accept Kosovo's institutions. The Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) is currently in power in the municipalities of Zubin Potok and Zvecan, whereas the ruling coalition in Kosovska Mitrovica comprises the Serbian Progressive Party and DSS.

On the other hand, the Democratic Party is in power in the municipality of Leposavic, but their coalition partner, the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), withdrew the support, and voted for the referendum.