Even an ambassador to Serbia slammed into the face of reality: Kosovo rules for army itself

In an interview for the Serbian agency Beta, Bjornstad said Kosovo has the right to form its own army, but it must take into account the position of ethnic minorities and legal procedure.

“Norwegia wants Serbia and Kosovo to reach agreement on normalising relations, because it is in the best interests of both sides. Due to current uncertainty, which raises fears of the region's destabilisation, Serbia and Kosovo remain deprived of investments and the possibility of creating jobs”, Bjornstad said.

He has said the evental agreement “should take into account the stability of the region” and that the purpose of the agreement is to create a stable environment, which will be attractive to investment.

“For whatever Belgrade will agree to and Pristina should take into account the consequences for stability in the region”, the Norwegian ambassador has said.

Asked whether Norway is satisfied with the way the dialogue is developing between Belgrade and Pristina in Brussels and whether the US and Russia should be included in the negotiations, Bjornstad said he sees no alternative to the existing process.

There is no option at present, or at least there is no better alternative for negotiations under the auspices of the EU. I don't see how this (form change) can bring any other results”, Bjornstad said.

The ambassador said Norway, as a country that recognises Kosovo's independence, estimates that Kosovo -- like any sovereign state -- has an independent right to forming its army, respectively, the possible transformation of the Kosovo Security Force.

Serbia does not recognise Kosovo's independence, but Norway, as well as the United States and most EU member states, recognise Kosovo's independence. We neither support nor deny that Kosovo will form the army, because we think that they themselves should decide for this”, the ambassador said, follows the telegram.

He added that Pristina, in the process of forming the Kosovo Army, should take into account the stance of ethnic minorities and respect legal procedures.

“They have the right to do so (to form the army), but by respecting legal procedures and consideration for the stance of different minorities, particularly Kosovo Serbs”, Bjornstad said.