The EU has taken note of the Kosovo government’s decision to postpone beyond November 1 the recognition of Serbian license plates for vehicles in Serb-majority northern Kosovo, but has asked Pristina for dialogue to reach a final solution.
Brussels recognizes Kosovo’s right to remove Serbian license plates, «but the process must be agreed in a dialogue and implemented in an inclusive and consulted manner.» The move «is a step in the right direction,» but «does not align with the Dialogue Agreements, binding on both sides.»
The 2016 agreement foresees a «clearly sequenced and defined» process with a 12-month timetable for the end of Serbian license plates that «has not been followed.» «Kosovo should allow for a longer transition period,» stressed the EU, which considers it «imperative to remain calm.»
The Kosovar Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, announced this Friday the postponement of the application of the regulation that put an end to the recognition of Serbian license plates from November 1 and set the new date at April 21.
Drivers using Serbian license plates may be warned (until November 21), then fined (until January 21) and finally obliged to use the new recognized license plates (from April 21), explained Kurti.
The Kosovar rule that Serbs living in Kosovo will have to start using the territory’s official license plates on their cars is the source of tension this summer in northern Kosovo with road blockades and violent clashes.
Kosovo Serb leaders have warned that they will block roads in the north of the country if the ban on Serbian license plates is approved.
