U.S. Embassy Pristina informs U.S. citizens of protests and road/border blockages this week:
1) Demonstrations are expected to take place tomorrow, June 17, 2015 from 12:00 noon near the main Skanderbeg Square and proceeding to EULEX Headquarters in downtown Pristina. The KLA War Veterans Organizations in Kosovo will be demonstrating against pending legislation.
2) According to media reports, the road between Pristina and Skopje at the Kacanik gorge (shortly before the border to Macedonia) will be blocked onSaturday June 20, 2015 for 24 hours by the members of KLA War veterans associations, protesting procedures of the verification of veterans.
The anticipated size of the protests is unknown. U.S. citizens should follow local media for up to date information on demonstrations and potential disruptions of traffic. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. You should avoid areas of demonstrations, and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations.
For further information:
- See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Kosovo Country Specific Information.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Contact the U.S. Embassy in Pristina, Kosovo located at 30 Nazim Hikmet St. Arberia/Dragodan, 10000 , +(381) 38-5959-3000, open between 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. After-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is + (381) 38-5959-3000.
- Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
