Three border crossings with Serbia continue to be blocked

Police officials in Merdare told Free Europe Radio that, despite the road remains blocked, private cars may pass, but citizens are exploiting other border points with Serbia.

The flow of cars has already been oriented to the White Land border point, near Kamenica.

Authorities in Kosovo announced on the evening of June 19th that the movement of buses and trucks from Kosovo to Serbia has been unsuccessful at the crossings in Jarinje and Merdare.

There are no columns of private cars or trucks or other transport vehicles in Merdare.

Buses and trucks have not passed this crossing since the early morning hours of June 20th.

Radio Free Europe journalists have seen some private cars with Serbia's license plates entering Kosovo through Merdare. The drivers of these cars he talked to. REL, said that in Serbia's terror the blockades were caused by citizens and the location of trucks on the street. However, according to drivers, they are allowing Serbian license plates to pass.

Also, several cars with license plates have been seen in Merdare RKS-The Republic of Kosovo is heading towards Serbia's territory.

Blockades at the border have been caused due to protests that have been held on Serbian territory. In the border areas, in part of Serbia, trucks that were transporting goods to Kosovo have also been blocked.

Serbian institutions so far have not commented on these blockades on Serbia's territory.

Kosovo's government has tightened border controls with Serbia on 14 June, refusing to allow trucks with license plates and Serbian goods on Kosovo territory.

The decision was taken after the arrest of three Kosovo Police members by Serbia authorities. Kosovo authorities have said it is about their kidnapping on Kosovo territory, while Belgrade has said they have been arrested on Serbian territory.

By contrast, according to data from the National Centre for Border Management at other border crossings between Kosovo and Serbia, Mutivoda, Muchibaba and the White Phelu waiting to enter Kosovo are between 3 and 5 minutes, there is already no waiting to leave Kosovo territory.

Blocking the flow at border points with Serbia comes at a time of increasing tensions in northern Kosovo, inhabited by Serb majority.

Tensions began on May 26th, when young Albanian mayors in the north, under the assistance of the Kosovo Police, entered municipal buildings amid opposition from local Serbs.

Tensions culminated on May 29th, when in Zvecan, Serb protesters clashed with NATO mission members in Kosovo, KFOR. Dozens of people on both sides have been hurt by the clashes.