Authorities in Kosovo have announced the closure of two out of four border crossings with Serbia after protesters from the Serbian side blocked the road, preventing motorists with Kosovo documents from passing through. The closures at the Brnjak and Merdare crossings in Kosovo’s north, where there is a predominant ethnic Serb population, were in response to extremist groups in Serbia selectively blocking transit for travelers. Protesters in Belgrade also joined in the blockade to show support.
The blockade comes after tensions escalated when Kosovo police raided and closed five administrative offices linked to the Belgrade government in northern Kosovo. Additionally, earlier this year, Kosovo made the euro the only legal currency in the country, effectively banning the use of the Serbian dinar. The situation in the region remains volatile, with demands from protesters for Kosovo police officers to be withdrawn from the north and for KFOR to assume control over the region.
The European Union envoy for the Western Balkans has urged both Kosovo and Serbia to work towards normalizing relations, stating that this would be crucial for their potential accession to the EU. The region has a history of tensions, with Kosovo having declared independence from Serbia in 2008 following a conflict that resulted in thousands of deaths. Serbia does not recognize Kosovo’s independence, leading to an ongoing strained relationship between the two sides. The situation at the border highlights the ongoing challenges in the region and the need for diplomatic efforts to resolve issues.
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