Vujinovic: The intention of the law on foreigners and license plates is to exclude Serbian institutions from Kosovo

Security studies researcher Nikola Vujinovic told Kosovo Online that Pristina’s intention, through the introduction of the law on foreigners and license plates, is to completely exclude Serbian institutions from Kosovo, and that these measures will make life more difficult for the Serbian community.

Vujinovic emphasized that the implementation of these laws will require registering one’s stay with the Kosovo Ministry of Internal Affairs and that it will no longer be possible to drive vehicles with Serbian license plates on the basis of authorization. As he added, both issues are crucial for Serbs.

“On the one hand, it will be necessary to report the arrival of a foreigner to the Kosovo Ministry of Internal Affairs within three days of arrival in Kosovo. What is problematic is that it may happen that temporary residence is not approved. On the other hand, it will no longer be possible to drive with foreign license plates on the basis of authorization or without temporary residence. It should be particularly emphasized that this applies to countries that are not in the European Union. This means that Serbia is the main target. Both of these issues are of crucial importance for the Serbian community, and their implementation was postponed due to protests by the Serbian community. If this really begins to be implemented on January 15, it will make life more difficult for the Serbian community,” Vujinovic stressed.

As he noted, the laws are designed in such a way that they will cause problems only for the Serbian community.

“A large number of people living in Kosovo and Metohija do not want to obtain documents of the so-called Pristina and the so-called Kosovo. On the other hand, a large number of people from central Serbia come to Kosovo and Metohija primarily to work in the institutions of the Republic of Serbia, and it is clear what the intention of this law is – to completely exclude Serbian institutions in Kosovo and Metohija. Therefore, the Serbian community will primarily be affected, and I would even dare to say that it will be the only one facing problems,” Vujinovic concluded.