Kosovo Security Force

On the 12th anniversary of Kosovo's independence, new Prime Minister Albin Kurti visited the Kosovo Security Force, KSF, and, after paying homage to war martyrs and veterans, again declared his aim to introduce compulsory military service.

Much Ado About Nothing

The EU's new enlargement methodology has been pitched as reinvigorating the accession process, breathing new life and dynamism into it. Yet in the Balkans, it has received a cool and muted response. Many local officials and observers are sceptical, seeing it as just a way to repackage the same old enlargement process in a slightly different way.

As stated from PM's Office, Haradinaj discussed the overall development and security situation in Kosovo, the region and beyond, on the meeting held with the NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Tod Wolters.

On this occasion, Vucic had expressed satisfaction with successful cooperation with NATO, that is being developed, fully respecting Serbia's military neutral status.

Rama submitted a report to a relevant parliamentary committee and said that the focus of the KSF was on "including members of minority communities, that under pressure from Belgrade 70 people have left the KSF, and there are 37 left."

NATO sources explained that there was an exchange of letters between then Prime Minister Hashim Thaci and former Secretary General Andreas Fogh Rasmussen.

"Basically, then prime minister Thaci took an obligation that the KSF (Kosovo Security Force) would not go north of the Ibar River without an agreement with the KFOR commander," one NATO source explained to RFE.

He added that there was also dissatisfaction about "the untimely decision on the transformation of the Kosovo Security Force (into an army)."

The head of the NGO said that now is not the moment because the finalization of negotiations with Pristina, which should be completed as soon as possible, is in the interest of the security of the whole region and should currently have priority.

As stated, this was done because of the taxes (increased by 100 percent) that Pristina has imposed on goods from Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

He stressed he was worried because of "the rhetoric, narrative, actions, which may be political in nature but with consequences on the security."