The rules, which were due to come into force at midnight on Monday, were postponed after consultations with the US and EU.

“Prime Minister Kurti, together with President Osmani and Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi and Gervalla, have maintained contact and held meetings with American and European international representatives. On this occasion, the Government of Kosovo pledges to delay the implementation of the decisions of June 22 until 1 September 2022, starting from that moment on Monday 1 August 2022, once all barricades are removed and complete freedom of movement is restored on all roads in the north of Kosovo,” the government said in a statement.

The tensions soared after Kosovo’s decision that would oblige Serbs in the north of the country to apply for car license plates issued by Pristina institutions.

The government also said ethnic Serbs entering Kosovo with Serbian IDs will have to replace them with a temporary document during their stay in the country. (ILKHA)