Kosovo Army: Did Kosovo reports fluctuate with NATO?

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's position that transformation is taking place at an inappropriate time, and that Kosovo may have consequences for this move, in Pristina is seen more as position NATO reflecting the many positions of member states within the Alliance, where there are nations that do not recognise its independence.

Kosovo institutions' leaders have reiterated these days that the transformation will not conflict with NATO, nor with the KFOR mission in Kosovo. Even, the transformation of the KSF itself, according to the leadership in Pristina, will pass into co-ordination with NATO.

Given the NATO and official Pristina stances, former Kosovo Security Force Minister Agim Ceku said it is understandable NATO's response. Ceku said that even NATO has realised that Kosovo has waited long enough until it is confirmed that Serbian representatives will not vote on forming the military.

We have shown understanding. We have shown responsibility, we have shown the will to wait, but I think these NATO values. I understand that NATO reaction, because inside NATO is four countries that have not recognised us and NATO must do its best not to cause divisions among allies and we do not want divisions among allies”, Ceku said.

“I think it is the response of the moment, the NATO secretary, but we like Kosovo, like KSF, will show in the future that this decision has been fair”, said former KSF minister Agim Ceku.

On the other hand, Jens Stoltenberg has expressed regret that Kosovo's decision, according to him, has been taken despite concerns voiced by NATO.

While transforming Kosovo's Security Force in principle is the issue Kosovo must decide about, we have made it clear that this movement comes at an inappropriate time of”, Stoltenberg said.

“NATO supports the development of KSF in the current mandate, and with the change of mandate, the North Atlantic Council must now review NATO's level of involvement with KSF”, the chief of the country has said. NATO.

Meanwhile, the Kosovo government through a statement had reconfirmed that the decision to form an army will not in any form affect the report with NATO, which they claimed was built over the years.

Kosovo's co-ordination with NATO dates back to the end of the 1999 armed conflict, when NATO's multinational troops were deployed to Kosovo, respectively.

Consequently, even the formation of the Kosovo Army went through an extremely long process. This process dates back to the 1998-99 war, where after the end of the war, some of the KLA members became part of a new organisation, the Kosovo Protection Corps.

Kosovo Protection Corps remained active until after Kosovo's February 17th 2008 declaration of independence.

The declaration of independence paved the way for the formation of another force, always based on the document of special envoy for Kosovo's final status, Martti Ahtisaari.

Ahtisaari's package envisioned the formation of a new, multiethnic force and limited mission, which was established in 2009 under NATO supervision.

From the day of her formation to her becoming an army, The KSF was allowed to possess only light weapons.

Under the mission, the KSF had conducted crisis response operations in Kosovo and abroad, including civil protection operations, helping civil authorities respond to natural disasters and other emergencies.

KSF members over the years were involved in rescue search operations, the removal of explosive devices, control and cleanup of dangerous matter, fire and other humanitarian aid tasks.

Under different programmes and co-operation, many KSF members were sent out for training abroad. Currently, the Kosovo Security Force has 2,500 active members and 800 reserve members.

However, the KSF's mission and capacities did not coincide with the ambition of institutions so that Kosovo could have its own army.

By declaring independence, institutions had no way of making constitutional changes through which the KSF was transformed into the Kosovo Armed Forces.

Constitutional changes failed because it could only be done with the vote of minority communities in the Assembly, respectively, of Serbian deputies who were never secured.

Following the Parliament's decision to vote on laws to make the army, Kosovo President Hashim Thaci said the Kosovo Army would be in service to all citizens living in Kosovo.

It's a historical but perfectly normal, normal day. A historic achievement of ours, deserved. Kosovo has the army. There are states that are being consolidated and strengthened every day, the Kosovo Army, as well as the state and society, will be multiethnic, professional in service of all citizens, of peace in Kosovo and the region”, Kosovo President Hashim Thaci said.

Meanwhile, Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj said the KSF will be an army of all and will contribute to peace.

Kosovo's “Army is not the army that has it in the doctrine to turn against its people. Kosovo Serbs, both south and north, are free people, are at home, are Kosovo's, and the Kosovo Army will never be used against them”, Haradinaj said.

During the time Kosovo institutions warned the military vote, the United States of America, openly expressed support for the process, but called for co-operation with NATO partners and allies.

All parties inside and outside Kosovo must support and encourage citizens of Kosovo's minority communities to participate in its security forces, for the benefit of their communities and the country. The United States of America is committed to working with the KSF to promote professional development and organisational evolution, which will contribute to peace and stability in Kosovo and in the region”, the US Embassy's statement” says in the American Embassy's response to Pristina.

The transformation of the KSF was also called normal process by the UK and Germany, but both countries demanded commitment of Kosovo institutions in terms of maintaining the report with NATO.

The transformation of KSF was consistently rejected by the Government of Serbia.

In some cases as a result of pressure, members of the Serb community left the KSF. /rel