© Associated Press
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Belgrade and Pristina have taken a step towards an agreement that could begin attempts to resolve the border crisis over the introduction of temporary license plates.
This was announced by the negotiator on behalf of Kosovo Besnik Bislimi, quoted by N1 and “Free Europe”.
The draft of the document, which awaits Serbia’s final approval, was drafted with the mediation of the European Union in indirect talks with the two countries. Later N1 announcedthat the talks on the topic of the day ended without a final agreement.
Even if Belgrade says yes, the agreement still does not solve the problem, but is a step towards easing tensions, as forces have been gathering on both sides of the border since almost mid-September over a dispute over whether temporary numbers should be put in place. crossing the border (and whether, if Serbia does, Kosovo must respond reciprocally).
The West has expressed concern about the situation, but amid fears of a new “war”, Belgrade and Pristina are actually preparing for elections – Kosovo locals this fall and Serbs (local, parliamentary and presidential) in the spring.
Bislimi told reporters that the agreement, which is awaiting final Serbian approval, has three points:
– license plates for cars entering Kosovo from Serbia will not be changed (and vice versa; the crisis began after Belgrade began to implement such a measure and Pristina responded reciprocally);
– stickers will be used instead of removing and affixing temporary numbers, and a working group will be set up to address the issue of free movement on a lasting basis;
– Kosovo special police units, known as ROSU, are being withdrawn from the border – KFOR forces will monitor the area instead.
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The last point is conditional on Kosovo Serbs removing barricades along the border.
After all the talks in Brussels, the meetings of the two delegations continued with the EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajcak. The EU has been criticized for its slow response to the case. Serbia also tried to threaten NATO with military intervention upon the expiration of a 24-hour “ultimatum” if attacks on Kosovo Serbs begin. At the same time, Kosovo reported attacks on administrative buildings and registration centers.
© Associated Press
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The document was announced shortly after the arrival of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Belgrade.
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