Referring to the tension between Kosovo and Serbia, Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti said, “We should not ignore that these aggressive policies of Belgrade could turn into an attack on Kosovo in one way or another.”
Tensions Rose Between Serbia And Kosovo In The Past Days, With Kosovo ‘s announcement that it will put into effect the application of temporary license plates and transit documents for vehicles with Serbian license plates that want to enter the country . In an interview with Reuters, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti Touched Upon The Tension Between Kosovo And Serbia.
Expressing that Serbia is following an aggressive policy towards Kosovo, Kurti said, “We should not ignore that these aggressive policies of Belgrade may turn into an attack against Kosovo in one way or another. We are careful but we are not afraid. They will attack us this week or next week. “I’m not saying that, but it would be completely irresponsible to rule out the possibility of new conflict due to escalating tensions,” he said.
“PUTIN IS INTERESTED IN SPREADING THE WAR BECAUSE HE WANTS TO NORMALIZE THE WAR”
Referring also to the role of Russia in the tension between the two countries, Kurti accused Russia, which is Serbia’s main ally and vetoed Kosovo’s membership to the United Nations ( UN ), of fueling new ethnic tensions in Kosovo and said, “Despot (Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin is a war man and is interested in spreading war because he wants to normalize war.
“KOSOVO IS NOW A STATE”
“We have institutions and bodies for security and defense. “Kosovo is no longer a state, we are not in 1998,” Kurti said.
KURTİ AND VUCIC ARE EXPECTED TO MEET IN BRUSSELS ON AUGUST 18
Kosovo Prime Minister Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic are expected to meet in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, on August 18, following the latest tensions between the two countries. Kosovo and Serbia are open to European Union (EU) hosted dialogue to resolve their issues, but little progress has been made between the two countries to date.
KOSOVO IMPLEMENTS SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA, SERBIA DID NOT IMPLEMENT
While Kosovo condemned Russia’s attacks on Ukraine, it took the side of the EU and the USA and supported the sanctions against Russia. Serbia, on the other hand, did not support the sanctions against Russia, despite its goal of joining the EU and aligning its foreign policy with the EU.
KOSOVO DECLARED ITS INDEPENDENCE FROM SERBIA IN 2008
The Balkan country of Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008 after the 1998-1999 Kosovo War against the oppressive Serbian rule. . However, while Serbia still sees Kosovo as a legally integral part of its territory, with the help of Russia, it is preventing Kosovo’s membership in various international institutions. Serbia denies that it is fueling tensions and conflicts in Kosovo, accusing it of violating the rights of Serb minorities.
Serbs make up 5 percent of Kosovo’s 1.8 million population, with 90 percent of its population being Albanians. About 50,000 Serbs living in Kosovo live in the northern part of the country close to the Serbian border, while 40,000 Serbs live in the south of the Ibar River.
APPROXIMATELY 4000 NATO MILITARY TALKS IN KOSOVO
While there are approximately 3,700 soldiers affiliated with NATO in Kosovo to keep the peace between Kosovo and Serbia, NATO has recently announced that it will intervene in accordance with its mission if the stability in the region is in danger after the plate crisis that broke out between the two countries.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Hours before the application of temporary license plates and pass documents for vehicles with Serbian license plates, which is planned to enter the country, which is planned to come into effect on August 1 in Kosovo, the tension rose, sirens and gunfire sounded in Mitrovica, which is located in the north of the country and where Serbs are concentrated, and the Serbs set up barricades on some roads. . The police confirmed the gunshots and stated that there were no casualties or injuries. It was reported that the sirens were stolen in order to invite the Serbs in the city to gather and protest in order to protest the temporary license plate and pass application that will come into effect on 1 August. Later, the US Ambassador to Kosovo, Jeff Hovenier, suggested to the Kosovo government to delay the decision for one month, and Kosovo accepted the decision, and the tension was over.
