Controversy over license plates
Now it is important to behave responsibly and seriously, Vucic emphasized, without saying what Belgrade intends to do to reduce tensions between Serbs living in northern Kosovo and Prishtina. The immediate reason for the withdrawal was a new regulation by the Kosovar government on exchanging Serbian for Kosovar plates by April 21.
Among other things, this stipulates that owners of vehicles with Serbian plates will initially only be given notice until November 21, but will also be fined €150. It is estimated that there are still around 10,000 vehicles with Serbian plates in northern Kosovo. Their owners refuse to exchange them.
Vucic denies being behind this
Vucic called allegations that Belgrade was behind the Serbian List’s decision “nonsensical stories”. In observer circles, however, it is assumed that the Serbian list, which is dominant within the Serbian ethnic group in Kosovo, will not make a single decision without prior consultation with Belgrade.
Recent tensions arise at a time when the European Union is trying to find a definitive solution to the Kosovo issue. The details of the so-called Franco-German plan recently presented to the two sides have not yet been revealed. According to media reports, an agreement is expected to be reached by the end of February 2023.