Kurti: Decision to be postponed on condition that barricades are removed

NEWS 01.08.202211:09
REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said Monday on Twitter that the implementation of the decisions on entry-exit documents and license plates for Serbian citizens will be postponed for 30 days if all barricades are removed and complete freedom of movement is restored.

“In cooperation with our international allies, we pledge to postpone the implementation of decisions on car plates and entry-exit documents at border crossing points with Serbia for 30 days, on the condition that all barricades are removed and complete freedom of movement is restored,” Kurti said in a Twitter post.

Kosovo Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Donika Gervalla responded to EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue Miroslav Lajcak who welcomed Kosovo Government’s decision to postpone the measures.

“Facts remain: Kosovo agreed to the American proposal in line with the EU. We agreed on a pause until September 1, 2022 – but only if blockades are removed by August 1. Reciprocity will remain the reality. Kosovo has not ‘postponed’ anything, ID card regulation has been enacted by midnight,” Gervalla said on Twitter.

In the meantime, Kosovo Minister of Internal Affairs Xhelal Svecla said that the issuance of entry documents at Kosovo border crossings has begun, with the exception of the Jarinje and Bernjak crossing points.