Chechen and Syrian groups have issued a joint declaration of peace and cooperation following a series of violent confrontations in Vienna in July.

The clashes, which involved knives, took place in the districts of Meidling and Brigittenau.

The declaration follows weeks of negotiations between representatives of both groups and stresses that the violence was not driven by ethnic factors but rather by personal disputes among young people.

The police were kept informed throughout these discussions.

Speaking on the Ö1 public radio station, Dieter Csefan, head of the task force against juvenile delinquency at the Federal Criminal Police Office, welcomed such talks in principle but noted that, contrary to the groups’ declaration, the police believe the conflict has an ethnic aspect.

Csefan also remarked that it remains to be seen whether the agreement will hold.

“What we have observed is that there are indeed members of these groups who heed the advice of these councils of elders and act accordingly,” he said. “But, of course, just like everywhere else in society, there are some who disregard this and make a fool of themselves.”

In response to the clashes, Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig has called for an increased police presence and video surveillance in the city.