Decision to allow free movement for vehicles from Kosovo-Metohija takes effect

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA - The first passenger car with "RKS" licence plates on which the "RKS" designation was not covered by a sticker crossed into central Serbia at the Jarinje administrative crossing on Monday morning following the January 1 entry into force of a Serbian government decision to allow free movement for all vehicles from the territory of Kosovo-Metohija, Kosovo Online reported.

A disclaimer on abolition of licence plate stickers in the territory of central Serbia was displayed at all administrative crossings on Sunday night, Most TV said.

"Allowing participation in road traffic by all vehicles registered by the Pristina interim self-government institutions is exclusively for practical reasons and aimed at facilitating the position of individuals and allowing them freedom of movement, and cannot be interpreted as recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of the so-called Kosovo, does not prejudge the determination of the final status and cannot be interpreted as Belgrade's consent to deviations from the rights guaranteed under UNSCR 1244," the disclaimer reads.

The head of the Serbian government Office for Kosovo-Metohija Petar Petkovic has said earlier the decision would "make life easier for Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija because they use the administrative crossings the most," and noted that the move by no means meant a recognition of the so-called Kosovo.