Kosovo postpones entry into force of new rules on Serbian border after tensions

Tensions in northern Kosovo, home to a Serbian minority, erupted on the border with Serbia on Sunday evening in protest against new border rules due to come into force on Monday 1er august.

Barricades were erected on roads leading into Serbia and shots were fired at Kosovo police. The Kosovo government decided on Monday to postpone the entry into force of these new rules for a month. The postponement was announced in a government statement following a meeting with US Ambassador to Kosovo Jeffrey Honevier.

The new rules provide that anyone entering Kosovo with a Serbian identity card has a temporary document during their stay in the country. Pristina had also given the Kosovo Serbs two months to replace the Serbian license plates of their vehicles with Republic of Kosovo plates.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti clarified on Sunday that it was a measure of reciprocity, insofar as Serbia – which does not recognize the independence of its former province with an Albanian majority proclaimed in 2008 – demands it. as many Kosovars entering its territory.

These measures caused great tension on Sunday. Kosovo police said they were fired upon, with no injuries, and barricades were erected on roads leading into Serbia. Both crossings were closed to traffic. In its communiqué, the Kosovar government demanded that “all barricades are lifted and complete freedom of movement restored” Monday.

“Complex situation”

The head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, praised Pristina’s decision in a tweet on Sunday evening, calling on the “the immediate lifting of all roadblocks”.

On Sunday evening, hundreds of Kosovo Serbs had massed trucks, tankers and other heavy vehicles on the roads leading to the Jarinje and Brnjak crossings, noted a journalist from Agence France-Presse. A crowd had then settled around the barricades, with the stated intention of spending the night there.

The Serbs of Kosovo do not recognize the authority of Pristina, nor the independence of Kosovo, and remain loyal to Belgrade on which they depend financially. In an address to the nation on Sunday, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said the situation in Kosovo had not “never been so complex” for Serbia and the Serbs who live there. “The atmosphere was brought to a boil”Mr. Vucic said, adding that “Serbia will win” if the Serbs are attacked.

For his part, Albin Kurti accused Mr. Vucic of triggering “trouble”. “The next few hours, days and weeks can be difficult and problematic”, wrote the Kosovar Prime Minister on Facebook. In September, the north of Kosovo was the scene of great tension, after Pristina’s decision to ban Serbian license plates on its territory, punctuated by daily demonstrations and blocking of traffic at the two border posts.

The World with AFP

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