Kosovo lifts ban on entry of products from Serbia at the border
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Kosovo lifts ban on entry of products from Serbia at the border

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Kosovo’s government said Monday it would lift a ban on the entry of products from Serbia at one border crossing, 16 months after it halted imports to prevent what it said could be hidden shipments of weapons for Serb separatists. Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said the Merdare border crossing would reopen with stepped-up, hands-on monitoring of goods by customs agents at a location just 300 meters from the border. Local media in Kosovo have reported that Germany warned Kosovo that unless it reestablished trade it could be excluded from the Central European Free Trade Agreement and the Berlin Process, aimed at boosting cooperation among six western Balkan nations and the European Union.

Border Ban Serbia Serbian Kosovo Kurti  european  entry  verifyerrors  sign  serbian  products  ban  serbia  border  kurti  trade  free  lifts  kosovo

History of this topic

Kosovo closes two of four border crossings with Serbia after protests
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Kosovo closes two of four border crossings with Serbia after protests

Al Jazeera  

Kosovo’s Interior Ministry blamed the closures on ‘masked extremists’ blocking traffic into Serbia. Kosovo has closed two of its four border crossings with Serbia, the government said, after protesters on the Serbian side blocked roads and turned away passengers carrying Kosovo documents. The closures at the Brnjak and Merdare crossings – both located in Kosovo’s northern region with a majority …

EU envoy urges Kosovo and Serbia to resume efforts to normalize ties through talks
3 months, 2 weeks ago

EU envoy urges Kosovo and Serbia to resume efforts to normalize ties through talks

Associated Press  

PRISTINA, Kosovo — The European Union envoy for the Western Balkans on Friday urged Kosovo and Serbia to step up their efforts at normalization talks, saying these are decisive toward the two countries’ membership in the bloc. The EU and the United States are pressing both sides to implement agreements that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin …

Kosovo shuts down 5 Serbian governing structures in the north and US reacts with alarm
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Kosovo shuts down 5 Serbian governing structures in the north and US reacts with alarm

Associated Press  

PRISTINA, Kosovo — Kosovo authorities on Friday closed five parallel institutions working with the ethnic Serb minority, a move that was immediately criticized by the United States and could further raise tensions with neighboring Serbia. Elbert Krasniqi, Kosovo’s minister of local administration, confirmed the closure of five so-called parallel institutions in the north — where most of the ethnic Serb …

Senior US official travels to Kosovo to revive Kosovo-Serbia talks after tensions over currency
9 months, 1 week ago

Senior US official travels to Kosovo to revive Kosovo-Serbia talks after tensions over currency

Associated Press  

TIRANA, Albania — A senior U.S. official on Tuesday said he would be visiting Kosovo in the next days to put “back on track” talks on normalizing ties between Kosovo and Serbia, after tensions escalated over Kosovo’s decision to ban the use of the Serbian dinar. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Gabriel Escobar said he would discuss with Kosovo authorities …

Leaders of Serbia and Kosovo spar at the UN over the latter's ban of the Serbian dinar
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Leaders of Serbia and Kosovo spar at the UN over the latter's ban of the Serbian dinar

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. He said it was “nothing …

Germany doubles its commitment of troops to the NATO-led peacekeepers in Kosovo
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Germany doubles its commitment of troops to the NATO-led peacekeepers in Kosovo

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

European Union to press the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo to set decades of enmity behind them
1 year, 1 month ago

European Union to press the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo to set decades of enmity behind them

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The European Union is set …

KFOR commander calls on Kosovo and Serbia to return to talks to prevent future violence
1 year, 2 months ago

KFOR commander calls on Kosovo and Serbia to return to talks to prevent future violence

Associated Press  

PRISTINA, Kosovo — The NATO-led peacekeeping force on Friday called on both Kosovo and Serbia to return to the negotiating table to resolve their issues to prevent violence like the recent shootout between masked Serb gunmen and Kosovo police that left four people dead and sent tensions soaring in the region. Kosovo Force commander Maj. Gen. Angelo Michele Ristuccia called …

Serbia says it has reduced army presence near Kosovo after US expressed concern over troop buildup
1 year, 2 months ago

Serbia says it has reduced army presence near Kosovo after US expressed concern over troop buildup

Associated Press  

BELGRADE, Serbia — The Serbian army has cut the number of troops stationed on the border with Kosovo by nearly half, top Serbian military officials said on Monday, denying U.S. and other reports of a mass military buildup in the wake of a shooting over a week ago that killed four people and raised fears of instability in the volatile …

Serbia’s president denies troop buildup near Kosovo, alleges ‘campaign of lies’ in wake of clashes
1 year, 2 months ago

Serbia’s president denies troop buildup near Kosovo, alleges ‘campaign of lies’ in wake of clashes

Associated Press  

BELGRADE, Serbia — Serbia’s president on Sunday denied U.S. and other reports of a military buildup along the border with Kosovo, complaining of a “campaign of lies” against his country in the wake of a shootout a week earlier that killed four people and fueled tensions in the volatile Balkan region. Kosovo’s government said Saturday it was monitoring the movements …

What is behind renewed tensions between Serbia and Kosovo?
1 year, 2 months ago

What is behind renewed tensions between Serbia and Kosovo?

Associated Press  

BELGRADE, Serbia — Tensions between Serbia and Kosovo flared anew over the weekend when some 30 heavily armed Serbs barricaded themselves in an Orthodox monastery in northern Kosovo, setting off a daylong gunbattle with police that left one officer and three attackers dead. Kosovo’s majority ethnic Albanians, most of whom are Muslim, meanwhile, view Kosovo as their country and accuse …

Serbia again threatens armed intervention in Kosovo as tension escalates
1 year, 6 months ago

Serbia again threatens armed intervention in Kosovo as tension escalates

Associated Press  

BELGRADE, Serbia — Serbia on Friday reiterated a threat to intervene militarily in its former province of Kosovo if NATO-led peacekeepers there fail to protect minority Serbs from what Belgrade called the terrorist threat of Kosovo’s ethnic Albanian authorities. In a brief televised address, the Serbian army chief-of-staff, Gen. Milan Mojsilovic, said Kosovo Serbs can no longer “tolerate the terror” …

No breakthrough after EU summons Kosovo and Serbia leaders for emergency talks
1 year, 6 months ago

No breakthrough after EU summons Kosovo and Serbia leaders for emergency talks

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The leaders of Serbia and Kosovo made no breakthrough in EU-hosted emergency talks on Thursday aimed at defusing tensions around their border. “I think the two leaders understand the severity of the situation,” Borrell said after hours of talks each with Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. Borrell conceded that they have “different interpretations …

NATO Says Peacekeepers 'Unwavering' as Kosovo Tensions Flare
1 year, 6 months ago

NATO Says Peacekeepers 'Unwavering' as Kosovo Tensions Flare

News 18  

NATO on Sunday underlined the “unwavering” commitment of its KFOR peacekeeping force to its duties in Kosovo as tensions flare with pressure building on Serbia over the detention of three Kosovo police officers. NATO’s KFOR has swelled to more than 4,000 troops after a battalion of 500 reinforcements from Turkey was sent to Kosovo two weeks ago, following clashes with …

Kosovo tightens security at border with Serbia in row over detained police officers
1 year, 6 months ago

Kosovo tightens security at border with Serbia in row over detained police officers

Associated Press  

PRISTINA, Kosovo — Kosovo said Thursday it would tighten security at the border with Serbia as the two states traded accusations of sending armed men into each other’s territory and disputed the details of Serbia’s seizure of three Kosovo policemen. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic reiterated his country’s position Thursday that the Kosovo police officers were arrested deep inside Serbia and …

Kosovo says 3 border police officers ‘kidnapped’ by Serbia; Belgrade says they crossed illegally
1 year, 6 months ago

Kosovo says 3 border police officers ‘kidnapped’ by Serbia; Belgrade says they crossed illegally

Associated Press  

BELGRADE, Serbia — Serbian authorities said Wednesday they captured three “fully armed” Kosovo police officers inside Serbia near their mutual border, while Kosovo officials said the trio were “kidnapped” on Kosovo territory as they patrolled the area. Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said the “kidnapping” of the police officers represents an “act of aggression aimed at escalating and destabilizing” his …

Serbian border troops to maintain highest state of alert after ethnic clashes inside Kosovo
1 year, 6 months ago

Serbian border troops to maintain highest state of alert after ethnic clashes inside Kosovo

Associated Press  

BELGRADE, Serbia — Serbia on Saturday condemned NATO-led peacekeepers stationed in neighboring Kosovo for their alleged failure to stop “brutal actions” by Kosovo police against ethnic Serbs, and said that its armed forces stationed near the border will remain on the highest state of alert until further notice. Serbia’s top political and security leadership, led by President Aleksandar Vucic, met …

EU lawmakers green-light visa free travel for Kosovo
1 year, 8 months ago

EU lawmakers green-light visa free travel for Kosovo

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Kosovo marks 15 uneasy years of independence from Serbia
1 year, 10 months ago

Kosovo marks 15 uneasy years of independence from Serbia

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Europe's youngest country unilaterally declared …

NATO should renew its commitment to Kosovo
1 year, 11 months ago

NATO should renew its commitment to Kosovo

Al Jazeera  

On December 10, ethnic Serbs started setting up roadblocks in northern Kosovo, near the Serbian border, to protest against the arrest of an ethnic Serb former police officer. The fragile relationship between the two neighbouring countries has been on the verge of collapse since last summer, when Kosovo’s government started taking steps to exercise sovereignty over the country’s entire territory. …

Protesting Serbs in northern Kosovo start removing barricades
1 year, 11 months ago

Protesting Serbs in northern Kosovo start removing barricades

Al Jazeera  

The removal of the roadblock paves the way for easing soaring tensions in the volatile region. Cars and trucks were queueing in front of the border point from the Serbian side where the roadblock was set up, the report said on Thursday, while Kosovo police confirmed the crossing was officially re-opened. It came hours after Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said …

Tensions run high in north Kosovo as Serbs block roads
2 years ago

Tensions run high in north Kosovo as Serbs block roads

Associated Press  

PRISTINA, Kosovo — Tensions were high in northern Kosovo on Sunday, with Serbs blocking roads as shots and explosions rang out and the Serbian president warned that Serbian troops are ready to defend their “homeland” if peace doesn’t prevail. The roads in Serbia’s former province of Kosovo, which proclaimed independence in 2008, were blocked with heavy vehicles and trucks a …

Escalating tensions after gunmen attack police in northern Kosovo
2 years ago

Escalating tensions after gunmen attack police in northern Kosovo

Al Jazeera  

Animosity remains high, with Serbia and Kosovo officials intensifying their exchange of words. Tensions soared in northern Kosovo after unknown attackers exchanged gunfire with police and threw a stun grenade at European Union officers overnight. “This attack, as well as the attacks on Kosovo police officers, are unacceptable,” EULEX said in a press release. ‘Masked criminals’ Animosity has mounted after …

Tensions run high in north Kosovo as Serbs block roads
2 years ago

Tensions run high in north Kosovo as Serbs block roads

LA Times  

Serbs block the road near the village of Rudare, north of the Serb-dominated part of the ethnically divided town of Mitrovica, Kosovo, on Sunday. Tensions were high in northern Kosovo on Sunday, with Serbs blocking roads as shots and explosions rang out and the Serbian president warned that Serbian troops are ready to defend their “homeland” if peace doesn’t prevail. …

Kosovo postpones local election in ethnic-Serb-dominated north
2 years ago

Kosovo postpones local election in ethnic-Serb-dominated north

Al Jazeera  

The election was due as ethnic Serb representatives resigned to protest a ban on Serbia-issued vehicle licence plates. On the same day, Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic said he would formally request NATO permission to deploy Serbian troops in northern Kosovo, while conceding this was most unlikely to be granted. Kosovo’s interior minister Xhelal Zvecla said on Saturday that after the …

EU warns Serbia, Kosovo against returning to the past
2 years, 1 month ago

EU warns Serbia, Kosovo against returning to the past

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The European Union warned Serbia and Kosovo on Monday that they are on the edge of a precipice and must resolve their dispute over vehicle license plates before next week or face the prospect of a return to their violent past. Long-simmering tensions between Serbia and its former province mounted in recent weeks over the Kosovo government’s decision …

Kosovo expands timeline for Serbs to comply with car plates
2 years, 1 month ago

Kosovo expands timeline for Serbs to comply with car plates

Associated Press  

PRISTINA, Kosovo — Kosovo’s authorities have apparently bowed to international pressure and softened their decision to ban illegal vehicle license plates, a move that could avoid riots by minority Serbs over the issue. U.S. Department of State spokesman Ned Price said that “an extension of the timeline is in the interest of making progress on the EU-facilitated dialogue to normalize …

EU says Serbia, Kosovo settle dispute over identity documents
2 years, 3 months ago

EU says Serbia, Kosovo settle dispute over identity documents

Al Jazeera  

EU foreign policy chief says the two neighbours have agreed on a deal over movement of citizens across their border. Serbia and Kosovo have settled an ethnic dispute over the movement of citizens across their border, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has said. “Under the EU-facilitated Dialogue, Serbia agreed to abolish entry/exit documents for Kosovo ID holders and …

Serbian President Aleksander Vucic warns NATO to do their job in Kosovo or risk intervention
2 years, 4 months ago

Serbian President Aleksander Vucic warns NATO to do their job in Kosovo or risk intervention

ABC  

Serbia's President has called on NATO to "do their job" in Kosovo, warning if it doesn't that Serbia itself will move to protect its minority in the breakaway province. Key points: President Aleksandar Vucic's comments follow the collapse of EU-mediated talks between Serbian and Kosovo leaders earlier this week A NATO-led intervention in 1999 ended the war between Serbian forces …

Tensions ease after Kosovo delays new rules for numberplates, ID cards
2 years, 4 months ago

Tensions ease after Kosovo delays new rules for numberplates, ID cards

ABC  

Calm has returned to Kosovo's North Mitrovica after ethnic tensions erupted over a controversial order on vehicle licence plates and identity cards. Key points: Officials had declared that, as of August 1, they would resume a requirement for vehicles entering from Serbia to replace their licence plates with Kosovar ones For the past 11 years, the reverse was required by …

Kosovo delays measure stirring tensions with minority Serbs
2 years, 4 months ago

Kosovo delays measure stirring tensions with minority Serbs

Associated Press  

PRISTINA, Kosovo — Kosovo’s authorities early Monday moved to ease mounting ethnic tensions in the country by delaying a controversial order on vehicle license plates and identity cards that triggered riots by minority Serbs who put up roadblocks, sounded air raid sirens and fired their guns into the air. Kosovo also is planning to block its ethnic Serb minority from …

Kosovo delays planned Serbian border rules after tensions rise
2 years, 4 months ago

Kosovo delays planned Serbian border rules after tensions rise

Al Jazeera  

Tensions arise after Pristina asks people entering Kosovo with Serbian IDs will have to replace them with a temporary document during their stay. Kosovo’s government has postponed for a month the implementation of new border rules that sparked tensions in the north of the country where ethnic Serbs blocked roads and unknown gunmen fired on police. The latest tensions came …

Kosovo gov’t offices targeted as tensions soar with Serbia
3 years, 2 months ago

Kosovo gov’t offices targeted as tensions soar with Serbia

Al Jazeera  

Kosovo PM accuses Serbia of trying to ‘provoke a serious international conflict’ after vehicle registration offices near border are attacked. Prime Minister Albin Kurti of Kosovo has accused neighbouring Serbia of trying to “provoke a serious international conflict” after two vehicle registration offices near their border were attacked. Ethnic Kosovo Serbs have blocked the Kosovo-Serbia border with trucks since Monday, …

Kosovo deploys police, Serbs protest amid border tension
3 years, 3 months ago

Kosovo deploys police, Serbs protest amid border tension

Al Jazeera  

Tensions have soared at the border between Kosovo and Serbia as Kosovo deployed additional police to implement a rule to remove Serbian licence plates from cars entering Kosovo, while Serbs protested the move. Serbia’s police have been taking off registration plates from Kosovo-registered cars entering Serbia for years, and the latest move by Kosovo authorities appears to be a tit-for-tat …

Kosovo, Serbia clash over Balkan border issues at summit
3 years, 7 months ago

Kosovo, Serbia clash over Balkan border issues at summit

Associated Press  

BRDO, Slovenia — Serbia and Kosovo clashed Monday at a summit of Western Balkan nations over state border changes, a thorny issue in a region that is still recuperating from bloody civil wars in the 1990s. However, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic rejected such a wording in the resolution because it would indirectly mean that Serbia recognizes the borders of its …

Discover Related