Türkiye's FM urges common sense in Serbia-Kosovo tensions

Serbs in Kosovo blocked roads in protest of the new law. (Photo: AA)

Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu held separate phone calls yesterday (July 31) with his counterparts from Serbia and Kosovo as tensions rose between the two countries.

Çavuşoğlu told his counterparts that "common sense must prevail" in the region, adding that Ankara is ready to do its part to reduce tensions, according to a statement by the ministry.

A new law that was set to come into effect in Kosovo today, making it mandatory for everyone, including Serbs living in Kosovo, to have a Kosovo ID card and plate, led to protests by Serbs in the country, who blocked roads with their cars.

Following the protests, the Kosovo government announced that it had postponed the law's entry into force for a month.

According to local media, air raid sirens were heard near the Kosovo-Serbia border, as Kosovo is set to restrict border crossings.

Albin Kurti, Kosovo's prime minister, blamed the president of Serbia for possible border conflicts.

Serbia's Defense Ministry issued a statement alleging that the Kosovo government is spreading disinformation, including through fake social media accounts.

It added that the Serbian Army had not "in any way entered the territory of Kosovo." (VK)