KFOR called on local citizens to remove roadblocks in northern Kosovo, the NATO mission in the province released.

KFOR Commander Major General Erhard Drevs said that northern Kosovo citizens have been given a chance to remove barricades during the weekend, the release states.

Acting on the behalf of the KFOR commander, the head of the joint regional detachment North attended the meeting with representatives of four municipalities as regards removal of roadblocks in northern Kosovo.

According to the KFOR release, the KFOR official informed representatives of the northern Kosovo local self-governments that roadblocks affected KFOR operations and constitute a challenge in meeting the mission's logistic needs.

He explained that soldiers at northern Kosovo gates need supplies in order to be able to perform their tasks adequately.

We are giving a chance to the local population to remove roadblocks during the weekend and thus make room for freedom of movement, Drevs said commenting on the outcome of the meeting.

KFOR keeps control over Jarinje alternative road

KFOR maintained control over the area around the Jarinje administrative crossing on Friday, which is, according to the people who passed through, more detailed than on Thursday.

KFOR soldiers returned early today to the checkpoint they had set up on Thursday in the village of Cirkovici, since it was abandoned during the night.

Traffic to central Serbia is functioning on this road, with KFOR soldiers controlling all vehicles, goods and passengers.

The control of the bypass around the administrative crossing of Jarinje was assumed upon the request of EULEX, in order to stop smuggling.

The barricades set up by the Serbs are still present on the roads in northern Kosovo-Metohija, despite the fact that KFOR demanded that they remove the obstacles.

Stefanovic to talk with Cooper via video link

 Belgrade's lead negotiator in its dialogue with Pristina Borislav Stefanovic said late Thursday he would talk with EU facilitator Robert Cooper via a video link Friday.

Stefanovic told Tanjug that the talks would focus on the Jarinje and Brnjak administrative crossings.

Stefanovic also said the discussion would touch on in issues regarding energy, telecommunications and Kosovo's participations in regional forums.

The aim of the talks is to find ways to facilitate further dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, Stefanovic said.

After meeting with Cooper in Belgrade on Friday, Stefanovic said that a solution of the problem of the two crossing was not far away.

He said that resolving the problem was a condition to resume the dialogue with Pristina.

During their meeting last week, Stefanovic and Cooper discussed energy issues and Pristina's participation in regional initiatives.