Kosovo delays issuing fines to Serb drivers for two days after U.S. request By Reuters

By Fatos Bytyci

PRISTINA (Reuters) – Kosovo has postponed plans to advantageous drivers refusing to surrender previous automobile licence plates issued by Serbia for an additional 48 hours, after a United States request for a delay to a transfer Washington and the European Union fears could set off ethnic violence.

The dispute over licence plates has stoked tensions for nearly two years between Serbia and its former breakaway province, which declared independence in 2008 and is dwelling to a Serb minority within the north that’s backed by Belgrade.

Round 50,000 ethnic Serbs who dwell there refuse to recognise Pristina’s authority, and nonetheless think about themselves part of Serbia. Belgrade has mentioned it is going to by no means recognise the independence of Kosovo.

A whole lot of cops, judges, prosecutors and different state employees from the Serb minority give up their jobs earlier this month Pristina dominated that native Serbs should lastly substitute automobile plates issued by Kosovo Serb municipal authorities, loyal to Belgrade, with Kosovo state ones.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti signalled the delay in a publish on his Twitter account within the early hours of Tuesday. “I settle for his (the American ambassador’s) request for a 48-hour postponement … I’m glad to work with the U.S. and the EU to discover a answer in the course of the subsequent two days.”

Kosovo police had mentioned earlier that fines have been speculated to be issued from 08:00 native time (0700 GMT) on Tuesday, and would have an effect on round 10,000 drivers.

Pristina and Belgrade failed to achieve a deal on Monday after emergency talks mediated by the EU have been held, with Brussels warning of an “escalation of violence” if the plan was to go forward.

EU international coverage chief Josep Borrell, who chaired the talks, blamed primarily Kosovo for rejecting an EU proposal on resolve the automobile plates dispute.

Opposition in Pristina has additionally blamed Kurti of jeopardising relations with the US as Kosovo’s largest ally.

Kurti has mentioned he’s extra occupied with reaching a closing accord with Serbia the place each nations will recognise one another as impartial state.

Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic mentioned late on Monday that his nation would cease issuing and renewing automobile quantity plates for the northern a part of Kosovo, however warned of rising tensions.

“We acquired the newest intelligence a short time in the past, the state of affairs could be very troublesome and it’s on the verge of battle,” Vucic advised reporters.

NATO, which has round 3,700 peacekeepers on the bottom in Kosovo, mentioned it is able to intervene ought to the safety state of affairs be threatened.