Aleksandar Vučić, President of Serbia, announced that next week he will sit in a container on the side of central Serbia, near one of the administrative crossings with Kosovo, to wait for Serbs and speak with them.
After a long silence regarding the controversial Law on Foreigners, which is set to take effect on March 15, Vučić spoke out about the situation for Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija (KiM).
Appearing Thursday evening on RTS, he said he hopes to work with European officials to resolve issues caused by the law, noting that success would be a significant achievement.
According to Vučić, the Kosovo Law on Foreigners is a blow to education and healthcare. He estimated that it could affect tens of thousands of Serbs living in KiM whose survival is at risk, around 500 professors working at the University of Pristina relocated to Kosovska Mitrovica, and a smaller number of doctors and teachers.
“I will next week go and sit in a container on the side of central Serbia, waiting for our people who cross the administrative line, to see what we can do to help. Our people are deeply worried about their lives, and I want to help them,” Vučić announced.
He also promised new aid measures for people from Kosovo, including one-time financial assistance for the poor.
The Law on Foreigners, along with a vehicle law, has caused concern among the Serbian community due to its potential impact on daily life. Its implementation, originally scheduled for January 15, was postponed to March 15, during which an informational campaign is ongoing.
According to the law, reported by RTS, anyone without documents issued by Kosovo’s provisional institutions cannot stay in Kosovo and Metohija for more than three months without obtaining a residence or work permit.
The law treats Serbs without Pristina-issued documents as “foreigners.” Those who violate the conditions face strict measures, ranging from fines to deportation orders.
On March 15, the Vehicle Law is also set to take effect, stipulating that citizens of Kosovo and Metohija cannot drive vehicles with foreign license plates without the presence of the legal owner, even if they have authorization. This means Serbs in KiM will not be able to drive cars registered in central Serbia based on authorization alone.
Today, a meeting is expected in Pristina between the EU Special Envoy for the Belgrade–Pristina Dialogue, Peter Sørensen, and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti.
European diplomatic sources confirmed to the Pristina media outlet Koha that the urgent visit is linked to the approaching deadline for implementing the Law on Foreigners.
MORE TOPICS:
Source: Danas, Foto: R.Z./ATAImages