EU: We support the efforts of the Kosovo government to ensure all persons in Kosovo are properly registered in accordance with the law

We support the efforts of the Government of Kosovo to ensure that all persons residing in Kosovo are properly registered in accordance with Kosovo laws and provided with Kosovo documents, either as citizens or as persons with a valid residence permit, the EU told Kosovo Online in response to the question of whether the Law on Foreigners will endanger the Serbian community in Kosovo, and whether an international group has been formed in connection with this law and its implementation.

In its written response, the EU further states that it is the responsibility of public authorities to create the conditions for such registration to be carried out in an orderly manner for everyone.

“As partners of the Kosovo authorities, we are making our expertise available to help all those whose registration has not yet been completed. Therefore, we welcome the recent decision of the Government of Kosovo to launch an information campaign,” the response says.

The Law on Foreigners, along with the decision on vehicles, has raised concerns within the Serbian community because of the consequences it may have for their daily lives. For this reason, its implementation, which was supposed to begin on January 15, was postponed to March 15, until when the information campaign will last.

Although adopted back in 2013, observers of local developments also expressed concern in a recent Kosovo Online analysis that the latest intention of the authorities in Pristina would further complicate life both for Serbs living in Kosovo and for those who come there to work or study.

The Law on Foreigners stipulates that citizens who do not possess Kosovo citizenship are considered foreigners who must register their stay with the Kosovo Police, while the Law on Vehicles provides that driving under authorization, if the driver does not have residence in the country where the vehicle is registered, will no longer be possible.