The Kosovo Force (KFOR) NATO-led peacekeeping forces closely monitor the situation in the country’s north and are ready to react to enable freedom of movement should local Serbs seek to block roads as 1 September approaches.
As of 1 September, any vehicles owned by Kosovo citizens with Serbian plates will need to change them to plates issued by Pristina. The decision was due to come into force on 1 August, but it sparked protests, road blocks, and a series of threats from Belgrade, and amid EU and US intervention, the Kosovo government decided to postpone it for one month.
Major General Ferenc Kajari, the commander of KFOR, said if no agreement is reached, his forces will be ready to maintain order. He added that UN Resolution 1244 gives two tasks to them, which include “keeping the environment safe and in order, and to preserver freedom and free movement of all citizens.”
“If barricades are created, this prevents free movement, and if the agreement is not reached, then we will reach a moment where KFOR will have to act to enable freedom of movement”, Kajari told RTK.
He said that the situation in the north of Kosovo, inhabited by a majority Serb population, is currently calm, and he hopes ongoing negotiations will result in an agreement. That said, KFFOR has increased its presence in the north.
“KFOR has established observation points and technical control points throughout the space. Also, we have increased the patrolling activity in the whole region. These measures are taken to be ready for any incident and greater safety. If there are tensions, we will act according to our mandate”, said Kajari.
The commander added that creating blockades does not help anyone, and he called for restraint.
