Kosovo: Implementation of Brussels and Washington Agreements - Path to Enduring Peace and Long-term Stability

The latest developments at the north of Kosovo are reminiscent of the events from the nineties of the past century and threaten to escalate into conflict. Over the past several years there was a noticeable absence of EU- mediated dialogue between official Belgrade and Pristina. The responsibility does not rest just with the participants in the dialogue but also with the EU and the entire international community, which has proven to be inert and ineffective in Kosovo and the Western Balkans. The billions of euros/dollars of EU and US taxpayers' money that were spent have yielded modest results. 

The resulting situation in Kosovo has its history. The Republic of Serbia issued license plates to residents of municipalities on the territory of Kosovo as well and they valid until 14 September 2021. Kosovo authorities unilaterally introduced trial license plates for vehicles from Serbia invoking the principle of "reciprocity" regarding the abolition of license plates, because Kosovo authorities have intended to abolish license plates featuring insignia of Serb municipalities. Under EU mediation a one-year deadline was agreed for resolution of the problem, despite the initial agreement on freedom of movement, which Belgrade and Pristina had brokered in Brussels. The situation continued to escalate after Kosovo Serbs were not allowed to vote at the parliamentary and presidential elections in Serbia. 

When the provisional agreement brokered under EU mediation on license plates expired, the Kosovo authorities begun to announce that they will sanction drivers driving vehicles with Serbian license plates and seize such vehicles. This triggered strong resistance among Serbs, particularly at the north of Kosovo. Serb representatives withdrew from...