Belgrade won't accept customs officials at checkpoints
The Kosovo Albanian authorities in Pristina are planning to deploy their customs officers at administrative checkpoints, says Borislav Stefanovic. He noted that "neither is Serbia willing to accept it, nor was it agreed in Brussels".
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Tuesday, September 06, 2011
"Serbia has received information that Pristina is planning to send their customs officers in the next few days at the administrative checkpoints in northern Kosovo and Metohija," the leader of the Belgrade team in the Kosovo dialogue told.
He "warned Kosovo authorities" that this was "unacceptable for Serbia", adding that such Pristina's move could cause dangerous consequences.
When asked what Belgrade's response would be if Pristina deployed its customs officers, Stefanovic said that the Serbian government "will continue to support any peaceful activities of Serbs from northern Kosovo who are defending their national interests".
"That is why the citizens of northern Kosovo should focus on real problems ahead, rather than stir up intolerance and mutual conflicts. It is important that peace and unity of Serbs be preserved," he stressed.
Stefanovic dismissed the statements from Kosovo Albanian officials and some opposition parties in Belgrade that by signing the agreement on customs stamps Serbia has recognized Kosovo as independent.
"It is quite the opposite. Customs stamps have no elements of statehood, and the accompanying documentation is status neutral. The agreement is the best possible solution for Serbia and Kosovo Serbs, and Kosovo's independence is out of question," he concluded.