Protest Over Kosovo Ban On Serbian-registered Cars
Faizan Hashmi Published September 20, 2021 | 11:10 PM
Jarinje, Kosovo, Sept 20 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Sep, 2021 ) :Hundreds of ethnic Serbs on Monday blocked roads in Kosovo's north leading to its only two border crossings with Serbia to protest Pristina's ban on entry of cars with Serbian registration plates.
The row erupted over Kosovo's use of plates with RKS (Republic of Kosovo) on them, which implies its status as an independent nation, something bitterly disputed by Serbia.
Until now, vehicles with Serbian registration plates have been entering Kosovo freely.
But since Serbia refuses to allow cars with RKS plates, demanding that they take temporary plates on arrival, Pristina says its ban is just a reciprocal measure.
Protesters used trucks and cars to completely shut down traffic on the roads towards the Jarinje and Brnjak crossings, an AFP journalist noted. They also set up tents, saying they would spend the night on the barricades.
The Kosovo government on Sunday sent armoured vehicles and a special police unit to the mainly ethnic-Serb area to monitor the implementation of the ban.
"Pristina demonstrates force and nothing else," one of about 500 protesters gathered near the Jarinje crossing told AFP.
The police "will have to leave, if not, it won't be good," said the protester who requested to remain anonymous. "They have no business being in the north." - US calls for restraint - "It was not our wish but imposed by the other side," Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti told lawmakers Monday.
Drivers entering Kosovo from Serbia with Serbian registration plates will have to take temporary ones as long as the same rule applies to Kosovo nationals with RKS plates entering Serbia, he added.
Goran Rakic, the only Serb minister in the Kosovo government, joined the protesters on Monday, calling on Pristina to "quit provocations".
Serbs expected Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to "react and help us, as he has always done so far", he added.
Vucic said he would call for help from NATO if Pristina continued to "endanger Serb property and lives".
He had called a meeting of security officials for Tuesday do discuss the situation in Kosovo, he added.
"I hope we won't be forced to implement our own measures, both economic and political ones," Vucic told a televised press conference.
The US embassy called on both Kosovo and Serbia to "exercise restraint, refrain from further unilateral actions, and reduce tensions -- immediately, without delay", in a message posted on Twitter.
Kosovo proclaimed independence from Serbia in 2008 a decade after the war between Belgrade forces and ethnic Albanian guerillas.
Serbia and Kosovo Serbs still do not recognise the move.
Kosovo and Serbia are conducting EU-sponsored talks on normalisation of ties for a decade.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Malala expresses unwavering support for Gaza people
Selection committee dissolved over Pakistan women cricket team's poor performanc ..
Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz in police uniform at Chung police center
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 25 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 25 April 2024
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
2 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
3 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
4 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
4 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
4 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
4 days ago
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
6 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
10 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
11 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
11 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
14 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
16 days ago