Kosovo journalist: Without plates agreement, small armed conflict is possible

If there is no agreement between Belgrade and Pristina on vehicle license plates, and the Government of Kosovo will start on November 21 to fine Serbs with license plates of the Republic of Serbia, this could mean a small armed conflict, the Kossev portal from Kosovska Mitrovica editor in chief, Tatjana Lazarevic, warned in an interview with FoNet.

Lazarevic, a journalist from the north of Kosovo, where the majority of Serbs live, said that news could arrive from Brussels at any moment that an agreement has been reached regarding the license plates, bearing in mind the very explicit message of the High Representative of the European Union, Josep Borrell, that an urgent solution is needed before 21 of November.

She pointed out that she could not imagine how the second stage of re-registration would be technically carried out, that is, fining Serbs for license plates, because that would require the presence of special police units.

On November 5, Serbs representatives left all Kosovo institutions due to the decision of the Government of Kosovo to re-register vehicles with license plates of the Republic of Serbia to license plates with the markings of the Republic of Kosovo, whose independence Serbia does not recognize.

On Monday, November 21, the second phase of the decision on re-registration should come into force, i.e. the collection of a € 150 fine from owners of vehicles with Serbian license plates.

Due to the fear of a possible escalation, EU High Representative Josep Borrell invited Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to an urgent meeting in Brussels, in order to find a solution to the current crisis before Monday.