In the last days of 2022, the situation on the border between Serbia and Kosovo sharply worsened again. On Wednesday, December 28, Kosovo authorities closed the largest checkpoint - “Merdare” - at the exit to Serbia. This is how Pristina reacted to the blocking of roads by the Serbs.
The Merdare checkpoint is important not only for road freight transportation. The main flow of Kosovo residents working in the EU countries and the former Yugoslavia usually goes through it. During the Christmas and New Year holidays, it is especially lively here.
“If you have already entered Serbia, you must use other border crossings or pass through North Macedonia,” - said representatives of the Foreign Ministry of Kosovo.
Serbs began blocking roads in Kosovo about three weeks ago. The protests were triggered by the arrest of a former police officer accused of attacking the Kosovo military.
The filing on December 15 contributed to a further aggravation. Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti official application for membership of the republic in the European Union Recall that Serbia does not recognize the independence of Kosovo and considers the republic its territory.
On December 27, Serbian government officials announced that Pristina was preparing an attack on ethnic Serb areas in northern Kosovo. On the same day Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic visited the army barracks in the town of Raska on the border with Kosovo.
Serbian Defense Minister Milos Vucevic On December 28, he stressed that “the army and the police are ready to protect Serbia and all its citizens.” He announced that the Serbian armed forces on the border with Kosovo were on full alert.
Serbian Interior Minister Bratislav Gasic also ordered the police and other security forces to be put on full alert. All these units have been placed under the command of the Army Chief of Staff in accordance with the operational plan approved by President Vučić.
Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic stated: “We are really on the verge of an armed conflict”. She accused Pristina of unilateral provocative actions.
The EU calls for maximum abstinence and immediate action and invites the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo to personally contribute to a political solution.
NATO, whose peacekeepers are still in Kosovo, called on both sides to avoid provocations. The NATO-led International Force (KFOR) said on December 28 that they were supporting a dialogue between the parties to defuse tensions.
The preliminary aggravation of the situation in Kosovo occurred in July. Then only the decisive position of KFOR made it possible to avoid an armed conflict.
Source: Fakty
