Kurti and Vucic to meet in Brussels to diffuse tensions

20 Nëntor 2022, 09:01Kosovo & Region TEMA

A meeting is expected to be held between Kosovo’s PM, Albin Kurti and the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic on Monday, November 21, Radio Free Europe has learned from diplomatic sources.

The meeting between the two sides is expected to take 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.

Although the agenda has not become public, the meeting is expected to focus on reducing tensions between the two countries.

On 18 November, the European Union spokesperson for Foreign Policy and Security, Peter Stano said Kurti and Vucic have been invited to a meeting to find a solution on the issue of Serbian-issued license plates.

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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