Aleksander Vucic

As the agreement between Kosovo and Serbia on crossing borders using only IDs comes into force tonight, a big disclaimer written in English and Serbian on the Serbian side of the frontier reminds the public of Serbia's continued non-recognition of Kosovo's independence.

It is "difficult to estimate when exactly implementation will begin", Igor Markovic of the Mitrovica-based NGO Aktiv told BIRN about Saturday's verbal agreement between Kosovo and Serbia on crossing borders using only IDs.

Both understand that bad moves at the local level are more tolerable to the West than those at the regional level, as long as you play nice with the neighbours; both rule their countries with an iron fist - Vucic overtly, Rama's hidden behind a velvet glove.

EU and US envoys Miroslav Lajcak and Gabriel Escobar landed in Pristina on Wednesday in an attempt to bridge differences between Kosovo and Serbia ahead of September 1, when the Kosovo authorities intend to bring in regulations on vehicle licence plates and ID documents for border crossing which Serbs strongly oppose.

Russia and China work in tandem. Premier Xi Jinping and Putin are united through their sense of historic humiliation. They oppose the integration of Western Balkan countries into Euro-Atlantic institutions. Serbian President Aleksander Vucic is a malleable figurehead eager to do their bidding.

The Special Representative

The news this week that veteran US diplomat Matthew Palmer had been appointed as his country's Special Representative for the Western Balkans has generated a great deal of excitement and expectation in the Balkans.

Protests against Serbia's President Aleksander Vucic continue, and tensions escalate. On Sunday, protesters tried to enter the presidency during a demonstration provoked by Vucic. They broke through the defensive fence and reached the entrance to the building of the Serbian presidency, Tanjug reported, quoted by BTA.

The President of the Serb Republic (RS) Milorad Dodik said this, referring to the Serb entity in Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH).

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said this came in the run-up to local elections in Belgrade and two other municipalities - and called on the authorities to punish those responsible.

Photo: O. Bunic

Serbian President Aleksander Vucic has nominated Ana Brnabic as the country's next prime minister, making her the first openly gay premier in the Balkan region and the first Serbian woman in the top job.