Oct 18, 2024 – Serbia’s Prime Minister Miloš Vu?evi? on Wednesday accused Kosovo authorities of obstructing trade by implementing prolonged checks at the Merdare border crossing, slowing the entry of goods from Serbia. Vu?evi? said these measures undermined previous agreements aimed at easing tensions between the two sides.
During a visit to central Serbia, Vu?evi? suggested that Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti was deliberately complicating cross-border trade to frustrate efforts at normalizing relations. “Kurti agreed and signed, but he is minimizing it at every step,” Vu?evi? said.
The Kosovo government introduced heightened inspections of Serbian goods on Oct. 7, replacing an earlier import ban imposed in July. The new measures follow the arrest of three Kosovo police officers by Serbian authorities, an incident that escalated bilateral tensions.
The checks have led to long queues of trucks at the Merdare crossing, with Kosovo officials saying they are necessary until scanners are installed at the border. The scanners, which are expected to be operational soon, are intended to prevent goods that might pose a security risk from entering Kosovo.
Kurti has defended the inspections, stressing they are motivated by security concerns rather than economic retaliation. Kosovo has kept crossings such as Jarinje and Brnjak closed to Serbian goods until the scanners are in place.
