After tensions at the border between Serbia and Kosovo, there were signs of easing again on Monday. First, the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, promised to delay the controversial border control measures by 30 days. Now the barricades at the border crossings have also been dismantled, the local media report.
On Monday, militant Serbs began dismantling the barricades at the border crossings that had been blocked for hours. Serbian news agency Tanjug reported in the morning that the barricades at the Jarinje border crossing had already been completely removed. Work was to continue at the border crossing in Brnjak. Previously, traffic at both border crossings between northern Kosovo and Serbia was completely at a standstill.
Measures postponed to September
As reported, Serbs erected barricades at the two border crossings in the north on Sunday evening. There the area is predominantly Serb populated. Unknown persons also fired shots at the Kosovar police, no one was injured. The protest was prompted by a decision by the Kosovar government to impose stricter measures at the borders for people from Serbia. From Monday 1 August, the authorities at the border crossings no longer wanted to recognize Serbian identity documents. The affected population would have needed a preliminary document. In addition, rules should apply to license plates of car owners.
Following the protest, the government in Kosovo promised on Monday evening to suspend planned measures for 30 days. We work together with international alliance partners. The condition for this was that the barricades at the border crossings were removed. The government condemns “the blockade of roads in northern Kosovo and the firing of shots by armed persons,” Prime Minister Albin Kurti said in a statement.
Edtstadler: “Very worrying”
European minister Karoline Edstadler (ÖVP) described the tense situation on the Serbian-Kosovar border as “very worrying”. “To ensure that the current situation does not escalate further and that the parties involved return to the negotiating table, we must do everything we can to ensure that all parties continue to participate in the process initiated by the EU,” she said. in a statement. pronunciation. MEP Lukas Mandl (ÖVP) expressed himself more sharply: “Serbia has fooled Kosovo for decades. But all parties are obliged to avoid violence at all costs. Those who use violence as a means of aggression are doing themselves wrong.”
Kosovo, which unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008, currently employs 294 Austrian soldiers. However, these are “not stationed in the affected area,” said spokesman Michael Bauer. The situation is being monitored, it should have eased a bit by now. In 2011, the EU launched a standardization dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, but it has stalled for years.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
