BELGRADE, November 7. /TASS/. Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Milos Vucevic said on Monday he doesn’t rule out a further escalation in Kosovo and Metohija.
"I hope there will be no trigger for escalation, but it would be irresponsible and frivolous to say that I rule it out. It is difficult to anticipate what may happen and what may come to [unrecognized Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin] Kurti’s mind," the Tanjug agency quoted him as saying.
He described the situation in the north of Kosovo and Metohija after the resignation of Serb policemen as a legal vacuum, which is to be filled by international contingents of KFOR (a NATO-led international peacekeeping force in Kosovo) and EULEX (European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo) rather than by policemen of Albanian nationality. "I hope it won’t come to an escalation. That is why we are inviting the international community," Vucevic said.
Earlier, Kosovo authorities decided to fine those who did not change their Serbian license plates, issuing warnings starting Nov. 1. Fines will amount to 150 euros, and citizens will be instructed to replace Serbian plates with the registration plates of the unrecognized Kosovo. After April 21, 2023, when the transition period is over, the Kosovo police will be authorized to seize cars with Serbian plates.
In response, Kosovo and Metohija Serbs quitted all government institutions of unrecognized Kosovo. Kosovo Serb leader Goran Rakic resigned from the Kosovo government, along with Serb lawmakers, judges and municipality heads. Later, the Serb police officers took off Kosovo uniforms and shoulder straps right at a meeting.