Kosovo is accusing Serbia of planning violence in a bid to thwart plans by Kosovo to take over two disputed border outposts in the Serb-populated north.

Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci told reporters Wednesday that Serbia is preparing “illegal and criminal structures” to provoke violence and prevent Kosovo's “legitimate authorities” from performing border and custom duties.

Mr. Thaci says Kosovo authorities will begin implementing the plan on September 16 along with the European Union police force and NATO peacekeepers.

On Tuesday, Serbian President Boris Tadic warned that attempts by Kosovo to take over the two disputed border outposts could reignite tensions in the Serb-populated north. He warned that Serbia will do what it has to do in order to prevent Kosovo from taking control of the outposts, and called on the international community to stop the deployment and continue mediation through the EU.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, nine years after NATO bombing ended a Serbian military crackdown on separatist ethnic Albanians. But tens of thousands of Serbs living in northern Kosovo do not recognize Pristina's authority and want to be governed by Belgrade.