Stano: Kosovo has the right to abolish KM license plates, but gradually

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EU spokesman Peter Stano says that Brussels "was informed, but not consulted" earlier this week about the plans of the authorities in Pristina regarding license plates and freedom of movement in the territory of Kosovo and Metohija, which the special representative Miroslav Lajcak also discussed with the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic.

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"According to the agreements from the dialogue on freedom of movement from 2011 and 2016, Kosovo has the right to gradually abolish KM plates (issued by Serbia). The agreements are clear that only license plates issued by Kosovo are used in Kosovo," says Stano.

He adds that it is "important to give enough time for the implementation of this plan" and that it should be "prepared and implemented in close consultation with citizens and in accordance with good European practice."

"Freedom of movement is the cornerstone of the European Union. We expect that both Kosovo and Serbia promote freedom of movement in the region, that they act constructively in this regard and that they do not set any unreasonable obstacles that would limit freedom of movement," said Stano.

On behalf of the EU, he repeated the call to "both sides" to use the EU-led dialogue as a platform to resolve all outstanding issues, including those related to freedom of movement and license plates.

"The EU expects that both Kosovo and Serbia foster an environment conducive to reconciliation, regional stability and cooperation to the benefit of their citizens. This is key to achieving a comprehensive legally binding agreement on normalization of their relations, which the parties should now fully focus on," Stano concluded in a statement for Tanjug.

(Telegraf.rs)