KOSOVO PM WARNS OF HIGH RISKS OF CONFLICT WITH SERBIA

Tue 09 August 2022:

The risk of a new conflict between Kosovo and Serbia, according to Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti, is high because the region’s circumstances have changed since the Ukrainian war.

Kurti commented on the escalating tensions between the two countries in an interview with the Italian daily La Repubblica.

“The risk of a new conflict between Kosovo and Serbia is high. It would be irresponsible if I say otherwise, especially after the world saw what Russia did to Ukraine,” Kurti said.

Arguing that Russia was behind the tensions they experienced with Serbia, Kurti noted that “before the invasion of Ukraine, the possibilities were few, but now the situation has changed.”

Noting that there will be a meeting on the general situation of Kosovo-Serbia relations in Brussels next week, Kurti said he hoped “this will help reduce the tension.”

Kosovo’s premier added that becoming a member of NATO would contribute to achieving lasting peace. “Our position is transparent and it’s based on euro-Atlantic values,” he stressed.

As Kosovo prepared to implement a new law requiring everyone, even Serbs living in Kosovo, to carry a Kosovar ID card and license plate, tensions between Belgrade and Pristina escalated.

Later, Kosovo declared that it has made the decision to postpone the new regulations until September 1.

The majority-Albanian-populated province of Kosovo broke away from Serbia in 1999 and proclaimed its independence in 2008. More than 100 countries have recognized it, including the US, UK, France, Germany, and Turkey. Serbia has not recognized and continues to lay claim to the territory.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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