Kosovo’s ethnic Serb representatives resign en masse

PRISTINA, Kosovo — Representatives of the ethnic Serb minority in Kosovo on Saturday resigned from their posts in protest over the dismissal of a police officer who did not follow the government’s decision on vehicle license plates.

Earlier this week Pristina authorities dismissed a senior Serb police officer in northern Kosovo, where most of the ethnic Serbs live, who refused to respect the decision to change vehicle license plates in Kosovo to ones issued by Kosovo. The shift has ignited volatile issues about Kosovo’s sovereignty.

Serbia itself has never recognized the independence of Kosovo.

As the measure came into effect Tuesday, Kosovo authorities said enforcement would be gradual.

For the next two months ethnic Serbs who keep their old license plates will be fined, and the next three months they can drive only with replaced temporary local plates.

The European Union has told Kosovo and Serbia they must normalize ties if they want to advance toward membership in the 27-nation bloc.