The Serbian ethnic minority in Kosovo was asked by the European Union to grant a longer transitional period so that the outdated Serbian licencing panels may be gradually phased out.
In a press release posted on its website, the European Union’s external action department stated that Kosovo has the right to gradually get rid of the Serbian vehicles, but that the process must follow the guidelines established in the “Belgrade-Brechtina” dialogue, which the EU facilitates, and be implemented in a thorough and consultative manner.
Although the decision is a step in the right direction, the statement continued: “However, it is not consistent with the binding dialogue agreements for both parties, which date back to 2016 and called for the activation of a serial and clearly defined process with a 12-month timetable for the termination process.” The progressively. It is stated that it is sad to see that Kosovo did not heed the United States’ and the European Union’s advise in this case.
The statement went on to say that it was important to maintain calm and that all parties involved were invited to exhibit restraint and refrain from any actions or speech that would undermine stability on the ground, particularly in northern Kosovo.
We expect the parties to participate in a constructive manner and in good faith to find a solution without further delay, with full compliance with the dialogue agreements, the European Union said at the end of its statement, expressing its willingness to work with both Kosovo and Serbia to achieve stability between them.
It is important to remember that Kosovo unilaterally declared its independence from Serbia in February 2008 after nearly a decade of secession following a bloody war that saw NATO bombard Serbia. Relations between its Serbian residents, the majority of whom are dairy, were tense for years, and although The Great European Cosovo was recognised by the United States and the countries of the Union, Serbia, with the support of its ally Russia, refuses to do so, as do most Serbs.
Conflicts have resulted from the Kosovo government’s decision to establish new measures, including swapping out Serbian licence plates for Kosovo ones, and the use of licences granted by the Serbian authorities by some 50,000 residents of the Serbian majority communities in the north.
Kosovo is urged by the European Union to grant a longer transitional period so that Serbian licencing panels can be eliminated.
About Author
