The authorities of the semi-recognised Republic of Kosovo, a pro-Albanian breakaway state in southern Serbia, have put off the decision to stop recognising Serbia-issued documents and auto registration plates until 1 September, Albania’s Telegrafi reports.
Vjosa Osmani, the president of Kosovo, and the republic's PM Albin Kurti have had a meeting with Jeff Hovenier, the US ambassador to Kosovo. The republic’s authorities claim they will “clear off the barricades and restore traffic on all roads in North Kosovo” as they thanked their “international partners, including Hovenier, for their commitment.”
The European Commission has welcomed Kosovo’s decision; Josep Borrell expects all roadblocks to be removed immediately, and Serbia and Kosovo to “address issues through EU-facilitated dialogue on comprehensive normalisation of relations.”
The aggravation of the crisis in North Kosovo, a territory claimed by the Republic of Kosovo but populated by ethnic Serbs, happened yesterday evening as the pro-Albanian authorities announced they would not recognise Serbia-issued documents and car registration plates starting 1 August. The local Serbs set up barricades in the streets of Kosovska Mitrovica, a city de-facto separated in half between Serbs and Albanians where gunfire and air sirens could be heard yesterday evening.
Kosovo mobilised all its police units, which prompted Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić to declare that the breakaway republic is preparing an operation against the local Serbs, scheduled around midnight; Kosovo concentrated its SWAT units at border checkpoints.
Vučić held a meeting with Serbia’s General staff and addressed the internationa;l community to help resolve the crisis. The NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) announced they might intervene in maintaining security in North Kosovo should stability be at threat.