In a bid to improve relations with Serbia, Kosovo announced on Monday that it will reopen the Merdare border crossing, lifting a 16-month ban on the entry of goods from Serbia. The ban, implemented in June 2023, was part of Kosovo’s efforts to prevent alleged weapons smuggling that could have fueled Serb separatist movements.
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti confirmed the reopening, citing security measures as the key driver behind the initial ban. “These were steps of security, never commercial ones,” Kurti explained, referring to past discoveries of large weapons caches and Serbian troop movements near the border. To prevent future risks, customs agents will now enforce stricter inspections just 300 meters from the border.
The ban's removal comes after sustained diplomatic pressure from Kosovo’s Western allies, who are pushing for reconciliation and economic cooperation in the region. Local reports indicate that Germany warned Kosovo it risked being excluded from the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) and the Berlin Process if it did not reopen the border to Serbian goods.
While the Merdare crossing is now operational, Kosovo’s other five border crossings with Serbia will reopen once new scanning technology is installed. This step is part of a broader strategy to secure trade while preventing illicit activities.
Tensions between Kosovo and Serbia escalated in May 2023 when Kosovo police seized municipal buildings in Serb-majority areas of northern Kosovo. Ethnic Serbs boycotted local elections, rejecting the leadership of ethnic Albanian mayors, which exacerbated the situation. In response, Kosovo tightened border controls, citing security concerns.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, nearly a decade after NATO's intervention ended a bloody war between Serbian forces and ethnic Albanian separatists. The 1998-1999 conflict resulted in approximately 13,000 deaths, primarily ethnic Albanians. Serbia, however, continues to reject Kosovo's independence.
The European Union and the United States are actively mediating the reconciliation process, urging both nations to fulfill agreements reached earlier in 2023. These include Kosovo’s commitment to establish an Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities and Serbia’s steps toward de-facto recognition of Kosovo’s sovereignty.
NATO peacekeepers, under the KFOR mission, have increased their presence in Kosovo following last year's heightened tensions, ensuring stability as both sides work towards peaceful cooperation.
