Serbia's train continues to behave through Kosovo illegally, sovereignty challenged

At two times, “trains Srbija Voz”, heads from Kraleva towards North Mitrovica.

To halt the operation of these trains, none of the governments have been given answers.

Shkumbin Hyseni, a member of the Kosovo Railways Regulatory Authority board in an interview for Radio Free Europe, said that since 2017 they have been demanding a ban on operating these trains, which according to him operate illegally, without license and necessary permits.

Those trains and that company that organises transportation are illegal companies for Kosovo laws. They've never applied for a license. They have never applied, nor have they been interested in obtaining security certificates and authorizations, in line with and in the service of mobile vehicles. As a result, that entire transport is illegal”, Hyseni said.

Hyseni says the requirements have been repeatedly submitted to the government, as well as the institutions of rule of law.

At any meeting, whether in the Assembly or with the relevant ministers of the line, or with the state leaders, on every occasion when we have even had official meetings even through paperwork, we have demanded that complete legitimacy be introduced there [in North Mitrovica], says Hyseni.

Hyseni says the only company licensed to transport travellers to Kosovo is the public company “Trainkos”, as well as two other goods transport companies.

Under law in effect, companies that exploit Kosovo's railway infrastructure are obliged to pay taxes, which do not make Serbia's trains circulate in the northern part.

Government Without Answers

A firm response to the illegal operation of Serbian trains within Kosovo's territory does not belong to the Kosovo government.

Radio Free Europe has asked the Ministry of Internal Affairs why these trains are not being banned, but the MPB has recommended that questions concerning the illegal operation of Serbia trains within Kosovo's territory are addressed to Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi's office.

But, until the publication of this article, Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislim's office has not returned answers.

The only institution that has responded is the Ministry of Environment, Space Planning and Infrastructure (MMPHI).

The ministry says they have not accepted any requests from the Railways Regulatory Authority to stop operating Serbian illegal trains within Kosovo's territory.

However, even the MMPHI itself demands that Kosovo Police, the Railway Regulatory Authority, and Infrakos do so.

The MMPHI Land Transport Department has not accepted a request for the ban on trains, although we would have demanded that responsible organs implement this, such as KP, ARH and INFRACOS”, are said in a written response, to the Ministry of Environment, Space Planning and Infrastructure.

In MMPHI, they say they will insist on upholding the law in terms of railway transport, although it says legally, there is no competence to convey railway transport to the ground.

The ministry, based on the law on railway, has no competence to transport railway transport to the ground. We as minister create strategic documents for the future of railways, but also primary and secondary legislation, in line with EU directives”, said the MPMPHI response.

Twice a day from Kraleva to North Mitrovica

Buying tickets for a trip from Serbia's Kralev to northern Mitrovica, and vice versa, can become online on the web site “srbvoz.rs”.

The price of a ticket by Kraleva to North Mitrovica and vice versa costs about 7 euros for the first category, while for the second category around 5 euros.

Trains operate at two times.

From Kraleva to northern Mitrovica, the first train leaves at 6:50 a.m., and the second at 14:50.

These trains are used mainly for passenger transport.

Dialogue seen as the possibility of Kosovo railway link

However, this process has been contested by Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, who has warned there will be reviews of any agreement reached in Brussels, whether last September in the US, for economic normalisation between the two countries.

The implementation of agreements reached by past governments has been repeatedly questioned by government officials led by Albin Kurti.