Tensions are rising in the Balkans. The ongoing conflict between Serbia and Kosovo has brought the two countries face to face. Recently, there have been consecutive statements from the leaders of the two countries. Finally, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic gave a clear message after the National Security Council meeting. “We will do our best to keep the peace before we issue any orders to increase war preparedness,” President Vucici said. used the phrases. Here are the details of the news…
Vucic made a statement to Serbian Radio and Television after the meeting with the Serbian National Security Council in Belgrade.
Pointing out that the situation in the north of Kosovo is “quite difficult”, Vucic said, “There is a struggle for the survival of a nation on the ground. It is aimed to resolve the ‘Serbian problem’ in the north of Kosovo, and Pristina and some parts of the international community participate in this. Kosovo police have no right to be in the north. ” he said.
“It is important to call on Albanians and Serbs to keep the peace. I urge Serbs to remain calm and not come to provocations. (European Union Rule of Law Mission) EULEX and (NATO’s Peacekeeping Force in Kosovo) must not attack KFOR,” Vucic said. said.
“OUR MISSION IS TO CALL PEACE”
Noting that today has been “the most difficult day” for him since he assumed the Presidency, Vucic said, “Probably the most difficult night is ahead, our duty is to call for peace.” used the phrase.
Vucic continued:
“It is a difficult night for the Serbs in Kosovo, it is my duty to be with them. We have received assurances from KFOR and Europe that they will not use violence against the demonstrators, we will continue talks with them. We have taken the necessary measures to protect our homeland. I gave the most important orders and the National Security Council accepted them. “I am proud of our police and soldiers. We will do everything we can to keep the peace before we issue any orders to increase war preparedness.”
Referring to the barricades erected in the north of Kosovo, Vucic said, “No Albanian’s movement is restricted. None of the Albanians pass through those roads. This is the expression of those people’s protests against arrests, violence, ill-treatment and non-fulfillment of the Brussels Agreement.” made its assessment.
TENSION RISE BETWEEN KOSOVO AND SERBIA
The two countries faced each other once again before the early general elections scheduled for 18 December in 4 municipalities in the north of Kosovo, where the Serb population is densely populated.
Kosovo’s increase in the presence of security forces in the Serb populated areas in the north of the country in order to ensure security in the region before the election caused mutual tension between the two countries.
After the events in the north, Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani announced that the early local elections were postponed to April 2023, but this decision did not reduce the tension in the region.
Kosovo Police claimed that he was attacked during the EULEX night patrol, while Kosovo Serbs set up barricades in the north of the country, following the detention of former Serb member Dejan Pantic.
Petar Petkovic, Director of the Serbian Government Office for Kosovo, claimed that Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s Kosovo Special Police Unit (ROSU) entered Gazivode and tore up Serbian flags.
While the European Union (EU), NATO and the USA have called for de-escalation in northern Kosovo, serious statements continue to be made by Kosovo and Serbia.
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 eventually 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)