Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti met with Major General Angelo Michele Ristuccia, Commander of NATO’s Peacekeeping Force in Kosovo (KFOR), and Lars Gunnar Wigemark, Chief of the European Union’s Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX).
According to the statement made by the Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Kurti met with KFOR Commander Ristuccia and EULEX Chief Wigemark at the prime minister’s office in the capital Pristina.
During the meeting, it was stated that an agreement was reached on “restoring freedom of movement and no roadblocks in Kosovo”.
The meeting focused on the close cooperation between KFOR and EULEX, and also focused on the actions of the “criminal structures” in the north of Kosovo, which seriously affect the security of the country.
In the statement, “It was agreed that the priority of the Republic of Kosovo is to maintain close inter-institutional cooperation and coordination of actions to serve the peace and security of citizens. The common conclusion from this meeting is that freedom of movement should be restored and there should be no roadblocks.” statements were included.
On the other hand, news that the Kosovo police signed an agreement with a private company for the lifting of heavy loads up to 40 tons in the morning with an emergency tender procedure was reflected in the media.
INVESTIGATION STATEMENT FROM KFOR
In a statement from KFOR, it was stated that the armed attack that took place in the north of the country after Serbia sent its chief of staff to the border region is investigating.
In the statement, it was noted that unidentified people opened fire near one of the KFOR patrols in Zubin Potok, where the barricades are located in the north of Kosovo, “There are no injuries, loss of life or property, and we are working to reveal all the facts.” expressions were used.
KOSOVO SET THE CONDITION FOR THE PATHRIST OF THE SERPIC ORTHODOX CHURCH TO ENTER THE COUNTRY
After the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) announced that the Kosovo government did not allow Patriarch Porfirije to enter the country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of Kosovo issued a statement.
In the statement, it was stated that Patriarch Porfirije, who wants to visit Kosovo, is asked to condemn the actions of church members who support criminal groups in the north of Kosovo and are responsible for the barricades set up there, and that a visit permit will be granted if the prerequisites are approved.
ORDER FROM VUCIC TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SOLDIERS IN THE ARMY SPECIAL UNITS
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic ordered Defense Minister Milos Vucevic and Chief of General Staff Milan Mojsilovic to increase the number of soldiers in the army’s special units, according to the official website of the Serbian Ministry of Defense.
Vucevic said, “I and the Chief of General Staff Milan Mojsilovic yesterday evening, we received the order to increase the number of ‘special unit’ members, whose number is 1500, to 5000 by the end of 2023. These 5,000 soldiers will be ready to respond to all the difficulties our country faces and those who do not love our country. will be the strongest ‘fist’ that will shatter the evil intentions and goals of those who want to harm our people.” used the phrases.
KOSOVO-SERBIA TENSION
Tensions rose between Kosovo and Serbia after the detention of former Serbian police officer Dejan Pantic.
Reacting to Pantic’s detention, Kosovo Serbs have been standing guard at the barricades they set up at the Jarinje and Bernjak border crossings since 10 December.
The EU, NATO and the USA called for de-escalation and removal of the barricades in northern Kosovo, and Serbia requested KFOR to deploy the Serbian army and police in northern Kosovo.
Serbia considers Kosovo, which declared its independence unilaterally in 2008, as its territory.
Serbia and Kosovo, which periodically clash, are trying to find a common way for the normalization of relations and ultimately for the two countries to get to know each other, within the scope of the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue Process initiated in 2011 under EU mediation. (AA)