Kosovo rejected the EU proposal, says Borrell

21 Nëntor 2022, 17:26Kosovo & Region TEMA

After the meeting he had with leaders of Kosovo and Serbia in Brussels, the EU chief diplomat, Josep Borrell said both countries are responsible for the failure of negotiations and for any escalation of the situation in the north of Kosovo.

"Both of them will be fully responsible for the failure of talks today and for any escalation and violence which can occur on the ground. We submitted a proposal, which was accepted by President Vucic, but not by Prime Minister Kurti," Borrell said.

According to him, this proposal could prevent this dangerous situation.

"I expect Kosovo to stop issuing fines and Serbia to stop issuing new licence plates," he said.

Serbian President, Aleksandar Vucic announced today that no agreement was reached on the issue of license plates following the meeting he had in Brussels with Kosovo's PM, Albin Kurti.

"For reasons, which are still unclear, we have not reached an agreement," Vucic said after the talks that lasted several hours.

"I don't think it's a tragedy, but it won't be an easy period," Vucic said, adding that Serbia "will stand by the Serbian people in Kosovo".

The meeting between the two sides took place on the day when the government of Kosovo is expected to implement the second phase of the re-registration of motor vehicles which have still kept Serbian-issued license plates. Those road users who refuse to convert their old license plates to the new ones will receive a 150 euro fine.

As of November 1, when the government of Kosovo started to implement its plan for the re-registration of vehicles that still have their old Serbian-issued plates, tensions between Kosovo and Serbia have mounted. The first phase of the plan consisted on reprimanding drivers who still use these cars.  According to the government, all Serbian-issued license plates must be converted to the new ones by April 21, 2023.

The US and the EU have constantly urged the government of Kosovo to postpone the beginning of the second phase of its plans. Most Serbs reject Kosovo-issued license plates, insisting on using neutral license plates.

Meanwhile, on November 5, Serbs also decided to resign en masse from the institutions of Kosovo. President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani has announced partial local elections in the four municipalities inhabited by a Serbian majority, whose mayors resigned as a sign of protest, however, the Belgrade-backed party, the Serb List has declared that this party and those who support it will not be part of these elections.  

 

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