Kurti's compromises today, AFP: Kosovo pushes controversial law, risking destabilization of relations

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Express newspaper

14/03/2026 21:09

AFP has reported on the decision of Albin Kurti's government, which announced today that the implementation of new rules for the entry of foreigners is being postponed for 12 months.

The report also notes that the Law on Foreigners provided that all foreign citizens entering Kosovo for various reasons, from employment to family reunification, would have to obtain a residence permit, and that it also prohibits the use of vehicles with foreign license plates on Kosovo's roads for more than three months.

It further writes that ''this step risked destabilizing relations between Kosovo and neighboring Serbia, which remain fragile since the 1990s war, as well as in northern Kosovo, where Serbs constitute the majority''.

After an early meeting with the EU representative for Kosovo-Serbia negotiations, Peter Sorensen, Kurti said his government would offer Serbian workers and students “temporary residence permits for 12 months with the possibility of extension.”

Noting that the EU "has had intensive discussions with the Kosovo government over the past few weeks" on the issue, Sorensen said that the decision to postpone the law is being taken "so as not to hinder the provision of health and education services" in Serb-majority areas.

EU foreign policy representative Kaja Kallas said on X (Twitter) that this step was "an important step forward for the good of all people in Kosovo."

The report also reports the reaction of Petar Petkovic, who said that "the solution will enable the smooth and normal functioning of Serbian health and educational institutions in Kosovo."

"Serbia fully finances a parallel education and health system, and many of its employees who possess Serbian identity documents do not recognize Kosovo's independence. The law, which was initially expected to enter into force on Monday, will affect Serbian citizens as well as ethnic Serbs in Kosovo who benefit from these services. Kurti also announced another relief for ethnic Serbs, promising that the procedure for obtaining a Kosovo identity card will be simplified," the report said.