Status in the north, Kosovo, Serbia meeting tomorrow in Brussels

European Union officials said a meeting of Kosovo and Serbia's chief negotiator groups, Besnik Bislimi and Petar Petkovic, is expected to be held in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss the breakthrough from the situation created following Kosovo's decision to implement the reciprocity measure for car plates with Serbia.

An American Embassy spokesman said the meeting is expected to include Deputy State Secretary for South and Central Europe Gabriel Escobar.

“We are pleased that Serbia and Kosovo will send representatives to Brussels this week for discussions, and we encourage both sides to resume openly, seriously and immediately in the process”, the embassy spokesman said.

Escobar warned on Friday in an interview with the Voice of America that “related to the license plate issue we would like to see some moves in Brussels, perhaps next week”.

For nine days in a row, groups of Serbian citizens in northern Kosovo are keeping the roads that lead to border crossings with Serbia, in Jarinje and Brnjak in protest of the Targat decision.

From last Monday, cars entering Serbia into Kosovo must receive temporary license plates, just as they do in Serbia with cars from Kosovo for more than ten years.

Belgrade reacted angrily and announced the establishment of military readiness near the border with Kosovo. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic called for the withdrawal of special police units from northern Kosovo and the cancellation of reciprocity for car plates.

Pristina said it is ready to give up the temporary license plates if Belgrade does the same, while accusing Serbia of inciting tensions.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti reaffirmed on Monday that sending special police units to the north has not turned against Serbs, but to protecting border crossings and police.

Western diplomats are calling for a reduction of tensions and expect Wednesday's meeting between the parties to help.

NATO peacekeeping forces said Monday they have added patrols throughout Kosovo, including the north.

“KFOR has taken further steps on the ground, adding patrols along major roads affected by the blockades and placing its units at the Brnjak Jarinje border crossings, in line with its mandate, stemming from UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and 1999. KFOR has also held talks, with all parties involved, to disrupt protests in northern Kosovo. The measures, which were discussed earlier by KFOR commander with all Kosovo institutions and the mayors of northern municipalities, are aimed at helping to reduce the tensions created last week and restore a safe environment and freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo”, are said in a communique of peacekeeping forces. / VOA