Serbian President stresses importance of dialogue with Kosovo and appeals to international representatives to intervene

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated that it is "very important" to continue dialogue and start a peaceful solution to the problems between his country and Kosovo.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced late Sunday the importance of continuing the dialogue between his country and Kosovo and to start solving problems "peacefully" between them, following the escalation of border tensions.

Vucic said in a speech on Sunday-Monday night that it is "very important" to continue the dialogue and start a peaceful solution to the problems between Serbia and Kosovo.

He added: "We appealed to the international representatives to do everything in their power to stop the tensions on the borders of Kosovo."

He stressed that Serbia will work to calm the situation on the borders of Kosovo, "no matter how difficult it is, and it will win and will not surrender."

Tensions escalated between Serbia and Kosovo on Sunday, a day before a law announced by the Kosovo government entered into force, before it backtracked and postponed the law for a month in order to calm the situation.

The law prompted residents of the Serb minority in northern Kosovo to protest and block roads near major border crossings, according to Kosovo police.

The Kosovar government had previously announced that from August 1, travelers from Serbia will have to exchange their documents issued from Serbia with new personal documents for entry and exit from Pristina, valid for 3 months.

This policy corresponds to a long-standing policy imposed by Belgrade on Kosovar citizens visiting Serbia.

A new law on vehicle license plates will also enter into force on Monday, as Kosovo will require the replacement of Serbian-issued plates.

On Sunday, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti blamed Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic for the escalation of tension and a possible conflict between the Serbian army and the Kosovo police.

Kosovo, which has a majority Albanian population, seceded from Serbia in 1999 and declared independence from it in 2008, but Belgrade still considers it part of its territory and supports the Serb minority in Kosovo.

On April 19, 2013, Serbia and Kosovo signed the "Agreement to Normalize Relations Between the Two Countries", which the European Union and the international community described as "historic".