Tensions between Serbia and Kosovo

Another escalation in tensions between Belgrade and Pristina won't benefit anyone, chief of Slovak diplomacy Ivan Korcok declared on a social network on Monday. According to Korcok, constructive dialogue is the only way to normalise ties and achieve progress on the path to the EU. Tensions flared up between Serbia and Kosovo again in the wake of a recent measure that was supposed to require Serbian ID and passport holders to obtain an extra document to enter Kosovo as of August 1. Kosovo authorities officially announced on Monday, however, that the date when the measure is to come into effect has been postponed in order to ease tensions, after ethnic Serbs blocked roads and skirmished with police. Kosovo unilaterally declared its independence from Serbia in February 2008. The majority of EU countries recognized its independence, save for Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia and Spain. Talks between Kosovo and Serbia, launched in 2011 under the auspices of the EU, hasn't yet led to the normalisation of ties.