There will be a solution to the roadblocks between the two countries that have been going on for 19 days due to a dispute between Serbia and Kosovo. Serbia will start dismantling the barricades on Thursday, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced on Wednesday evening after a meeting with Serbs from northern Kosovo in the Serbian town of Raška.
“It is a lengthy process. It will take a while,” Vučić said. The barricades would be removed in 24 to 48 hours, he said. “But the mistrust will not be dispelled. Those who play with the mere existence of Serbs in Kosovo should know that just as we have not allowed it now, we will not allow it in the future,” the Serbian president said at a press conference (see video above).
The escalating conflict in the Balkans was prompted by the arrest of a Serbian police officer who allegedly assaulted Kosovo police officers at an earlier demonstration. The Serbian demonstrators demand his release and set up roadblocks during the sometimes violent protests. A court in Pristina has now ordered that he be released and placed under house arrest.
Kosovo has closed most border crossings
Tensions in the region had escalated this week after Serbia deployed its army on Monday and Kosovo closed its main border crossing on Wednesday. NATO, the US and the European Union were concerned about the development and called for restraint and a willingness to dialogue. On the other hand, Russia supported Serbia.
The conflict has been smoldering for more than 20 years. About 50,000 Serbs live in the north of the predominantly Albanian Kosovo. They refuse to recognize the government in Pristina and Kosovo as a state. Serbia also does not recognize the independence of its former southern province.
Kosovo declared independence in 2008
Kosovo unilaterally declared independence in 2008 after nine years under UN rule. This was established after the expulsion of the Serbian security forces by NATO military action.
The UN Security Council resolution adopted in June 1999 also confirmed that Kosovo belongs to Serbia under international law. Belgrade maintains that the resolution is still valid. Attempts to change it failed because of Russia’s UN veto power.
Source: Krone
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