Fifth day of blockades in Kosovo north, other crossings function

The Serbs in northern Kosovo continued Friday to block the road leading to two crossings with Serbia for the fifth consecutive day, following the Pristina decision to implement a reciprocal measure on license plates.

That slowed down traffic at Merdare and Bela Zemlja crossings in southern Serbia. Kosovo police said that they issued over 1,600 temporary plates for vehicles coming from Serbia at the latter.

Pristina said it was a reciprocal measure since vehicles from Kosovo had to take temporary plates when crossing to Serbia.

Belgrade vehemently opposed the move and refused the Pristina offer to talk before the measure was revoked.
However, Kosovo Government showed no intention to do that. Prime Minister Albin Kurti said he was ready to revoke the measure only if the other side did the same.

The situation remained the same in the north at the Jarinje and Brnjak crossings, with more people were crossing on foot.

There were no incidents or provocations between the Serbs and Kosovo police.

On Thursday, Kosovo police denied reports on beating three local Serbs.