Kosovo authorities blamed “technical problems” for the delays in border demarcation.
“Once these technical issues are resolved, the ministry will work to ease cross-border traffic,” the government said.
Montenegro’s Interior Ministry said there was “not a single problem” on its side of the border.
“Over the past decade, several initiatives to implement this Agreement have been sent to the Kosovo authorities through diplomatic channels, but there has been no response from them,” the ministry told BIRN.
“The reasons for non-compliance with the Agreement lie solely on Kosovo’s side.”
However, the consequences are felt by both sides.
Near the village of Velika, on the slopes of Mount Chakorr near the Lim River, an old military bunker stands as a ruined reminder that this was once a stronghold of the Yugoslav People’s Army JNA.
“The restless days are behind us, the years of living under the shadow of watchtowers and military outposts are over, but we need to move freely,” said Vuksan Vuletic, 56, who spends every summer with his family on Mount Chakorr/Chakor. Last month he joined a road protest.
“The states have to make a decision on this,” Vuletic told BIRN. “It would be very important if this road was reopened to the whole of the Leam Valley and beyond.”
In Murino, another mountain village, cafe owner Nedzad Cekunjanin said the town of Peja/Pec in Kosovo was “like a second mother” to people like him.
“We received our education there and relied on it for many of our needs,” he said. “During the war, this is where we found safety. We have a lot of family connections and godparent relationships there. We even have cemeteries there.”
“But all this was gradually disrupted because since 1999 we have been cut off from Peja/Pecs.”
“We appeal to the governments of Kosovo and Montenegro, as well as the EU and foreign embassies to help open this road as soon as possible,” he said.
Not everyone agrees. Some villagers on the Montenegrin side fear that opening the road could lead to Kosovo seeking more land.