The agreement to lift the blockades was reached with Kosovo Serb leaders at an emergency meeting late Wednesday, according to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
– This means that from tomorrow, from the morning hours, the removal of barricades will begin, Vucic said after the meeting.
Screened off with roadblocks
Ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo have during December set up roadblocks on country roads near the border with Serbia.
Tensions have worsened since a former police chief was arrested three weeks ago on suspicion of terrorism after beating a Kosovo police officer during an earlier protest.
The announcement that the barricades are to be lifted came after reports that he is to be released from custody and instead placed under house arrest. The agreement could reduce the rising tensions that have built up for weeks between the countries and raised fears of new clashes.
Bad reconciliation between the countries
There has always been tension between Kosovo and Serbia, which has never recognized the new state that declared its independence in 2008. The situation has worsened in recent weeks, and on Wednesday Kosovo closed the main border crossing with Serbia.
Aleksandar Vucic announced on Tuesday that Serbia’s military force on the border will be increased to 5,000 soldiers and put on high alert.
The EU and the US have called on the countries to act immediately to calm the situation.
The clip below provides an overview of the unrest in Kosovo.
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