Serbs in Kosovo break checkpoints with trucks

Serbs in Kosovo have begun removing barricades on the border with Serbia. This is the result of talks between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and representatives of Serbs in Kosovo, reports Serbian state broadcaster RTS.

The blocks will disappear within 24 to 48 hours, says Vucic, “but the distrust hasn’t disappeared.”

Kosovo closed its main border crossing with Serbia yesterday due to blockage of trucks. Roads to other border crossings have also been blocked. Serbs in Kosovo have set up dozens of blocs in recent weeks to protest the December 10 arrest of a former Kosovo Serb police officer. This Dejan Pantic is said to have attacked a fellow Kosovar during an earlier protest. He was released last night and placed under house arrest.

Tensions between Serbia and Kosovo have escalated in recent weeks following allegations of intimidation and bullying of Serbs by ethnic Albanians. Gunfire and explosions were heard near patrols by the NATO-led KFOR peacekeeping force in Kosovo. No one was seriously injured.

This week Serbia increased combat readiness of his troops on the Kosovo border and called for an “end to attacks on Kosovo Serbs”. The situation has caused great international concern.

Kosovo thinks that Serbs in the country should behave like Kosovars, but Serbs want their own province in northern Kosovo. Earlier this month, the local elections postponed due to tensions.

Serbian associate professor of law Vladimir Vuletic said on the morning program on Serbian TV channel RTS that the blockades had achieved their goal. “They made it clear to Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti that what he wanted was not possible, and we’ll see if he got the message.”

The barricades, according to Vuletic, were in response to “something intolerable”, namely that Kurti and the police were determined to take control of northern Kosovo by force. “He showed Serbia’s determination to defend the people of Kosovo. This is reflected in the deployment of its armed forces, but also in the search for peaceful solutions. Peace is in Serbia’s interest,” he said.

He stressed that not all Serbian demands have been met, but that it is important to compromise, because peace is the main goal. “The Serbs have shown their goodwill.”

Kosovo declared itself independent from Serbia in 2008, of which until then it had been an autonomous province with a large Albanian majority. The secession left Serbs in the minority. Serbia, supported by Russia and China, has not recognized Kosovo. Most EU and NATO countries have done this.