Tensions Rise With Serbia Over License Plate Dispute

Tensions between Kosovo and Serbia are increasing after Pristina began implementing a measure requiring ethnic Serb residents to relinquish Serbian-issued license plates, reports the BBC News.

A deadline to swap Serbian-issued plates for Kosovo plates expired on Nov. 1 and police began issuing written reprimands.

Under the Kosovo program, written reprimands will be issued for three weeks, followed by fines of 150 euros (US$180). A further phase would involve the seizure of Serbian-issued license plates, with Pristina insisting that re-registrations are completed by April 2023.

Serbia rejects Kosovo’s right to reject Belgrade-issued license plates, citing Serbia’s non-recognition of Kosovo’s independence.

Belgrade has put its troops on alert to “protect” Serb citizens, including those in Kosovo, while NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR) has stepped up patrols on the Serbian-Kosovo border.