The spokesperson of the European External Action Service (EEAS) noted on Saturday 29 October the decision of the Kosovo government to postpone the implementation of the licence plate change, regretting that it was not in line with the dialogue agreements between Serbia and Kosovo.
Initially, Kosovo Serb plates issued by Serbia were to be changed to Kosovo plates from 1 November. Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti finally announced on 28 October that drivers who continued to use Serbian plates will be reprimanded until 21 November and fined until 21 January, and that temporary plates will be imposed from 21 January to 21 April 2023. After this date, “there will be no more probationary plates because there cannot be any other plates in use in the Republic of Kosovo”, warned Mr Kurti.
For the EEAS spokesperson, although Kosovo has the right to phase out the KM plates, “the process must be carried out according to the modalities agreed in the dialogue and implemented in an inclusive and consultative manner”. Thus, while the Kosovar decision is “a step in the right direction”, “it is not aligned with the dialogue agreements, which are binding on both parties”, he regretted in a statement.
The spokesperson mentioned that the 2016 agreement provided for a clearly sequenced and defined process with a 12-month deadline for the phasing out process, which has not been followed. “Kosovo should allow for a longer transition period”, the spokesman said, adding that this was the consistent view of Kosovo’s closest partners, including the EU and the US (see EUROPE 13053/13). He added: “It is disappointing that it has not been followed up.”
Following the decision, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service called on all stakeholders to exercise restraint and avoid any action or rhetoric that could undermine stability on the ground, particularly in northern Kosovo. “It is imperative to maintain calm”, he warned.
He also pledged that the EU would continue its dialogue with Serbia and Kosovo and expected the parties to engage constructively and in good faith to find a solution without further delay, in full respect of the dialogue agreements. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)