Kosovo parliament starts process to form army

The announced move has drawn criticism and condemnation. NATO officials and member states feel that the timing is not right and that the whole thing had to have been done by amending the constitution of Kosovo while Serbian officials claim that an army under Pristina’s control will endanger the Kosovo Serbs.  

The European Union’s Ambassador in Serbia Sem Fabrizi said that the Kosovo military should be formed in line with the constitution which does not mean that today’s vote on three laws to transform the Kosovo Security Forces (KSF) is contrary to the constitution. “Our view is clear. The EU shares the opinion of NATO that the transformation has to be inclusive, long-term and in line with the constitution of Kosovo,” the EU Delegation chief said.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg voiced regret over the adopting of laws by the Kosovo parliament which are intended to transform the Kosovo Security Forces (KSF) into armed forces despite NATO’s concern and added that the time is not right for that step. He called all political players to show restraint and Pristina and Belgrade to continue their dialogue under European Union auspices. “Although the transition of the security forces is in principle a question that Kosovo decides, we said clearly that the moment is not good for that step,” Stoltenberg said in a statement.

  European Commission spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic Tweeted that “like NATO, the EU continues to share the view that the mandate of the KSF should only be changed through an inclusive and gradual process in accordance with Kosovo Constitution”.