"Disagreed on almost every point": struggles between Serbia and Kosovo – NATO is ready

With active mediation by the EU, Serbia and Kosovo are making a new attempt to de-escalate the region. Only a few weeks ago, Washington and Brussels prevented the conflict from flaring up. For security, NATO again refers to around 4,000 soldiers in the region.

In view of growing tensions, the heads of state and government of Serbia and Kosovo, mediated by the EU, want to look for a way out of the crisis again tomorrow, Thursday. At a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that the military alliance was ready to intervene in the event of an escalation. “I call on all sides to exercise restraint and avoid violence.” Vucic expected a difficult conversation with Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti: “We don’t agree on almost every point.”

Tensions flared again this summer over a dispute over car number plates and immigration documents. Serbia does not recognize license plates and ID cards from Kosovo, and Kosovars must obtain replacement documents when entering Serbia. At the end of June 2022, the government in Pristina also announced that the Serbs would have to do the same after arriving in the region. Things calmed down after Kurti, under pressure from the US and the EU, agreed to postpone the license plate regulation until September 1st.

In the past there have been blockades and clashes between the Serb minority and security forces in the border area. Around five percent of the 1.8 million Kosovars are Serbs. Muslim Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008. While Serbia continues to regard Kosovo as its part of the country, Germany and a majority of member states of the United Nations recognize the Republic of Kosovo.

Serbia has also been criticized by Western countries for its proximity to Russia. The mediation of the European Union between the former wartime enemies has made little progress in recent years.

Stoltenberg announced that should tensions escalate, the alliance would increase its peacekeeping forces in Kosovo. The currently almost 4,000 NATO soldiers are ready to intervene if necessary. “The situation on the ground has improved, but it is the responsibility of all parties – especially those responsible in Belgrade and Pristina – to prevent a renewed escalation.” Stoltenberg called on all sides to exercise restraint.