The Serbia Government has decided to admit cars with the registration numbers of partially recognized Kosovo from January 1, 2024. This was reported by Petar Petkovich, Head of the Kosovo and Metrochia Department on Monday, December 25.
The Serbia government has determined that this decision was made "exclusively for practical reasons" in order to promote the freedom of movement of people. The resolution emphasizes that this step is not a recognition of unilaterally proclaimed Kosovo independence. Petkovich emphasized that the Government of Serbia did not violate the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country.
In the context of a mandatory decision not to violate the "red lines" in relation to territorial integrity and sovereignty, Petkovich emphasized that this is an important aspect in all negotiations on Kosovo status. Earlier, according to demand, all car owners in Kosovo, including northern municipalities with the Serbian population, had to change their license plates to Kosovo.
This decision led to tensions between Kosovo and Serbia last year, calling the resignation of officials and police in the northern Kosovo municipalities. For example, Kosovo and Serbia, through the EU, continue to try to normalize relations. However, the issue of granting separate status to the Northern Municipalities, where the Serbian population lives, remains difficult, since Kosovo sees in this the threat of pressure from Belgrade, while Serbia does not recognize Kosovo's independence and considers it an autonomous land in its composition.
