Two options for Kosovo military making

The transformation of the Kosovo Security Force into the Kosovo Army through constitutional changes is the goal of the Kosovo government, but it has not given up that transformation can be made through law.

All this if constitutional changes are impossible due to opposition from Serb representatives in the Kosovo assembly.

Under the Constitution of Kosovo, any change should take two-thirds of the 120 deputies' votes and also two-thirds of Kosovo Serb representatives.

In an effort to convince the Serbs, the top leaders of Kosovo institutions say that the “establishment of the KSF in the Kosovo Army will strengthen peace in the region”, and according to them, this Force is already ready to take the role it belongs to in regional and global security dynamic”.

But representatives of Kosovo Serbs have already been openly declared against converting the KSF military and on such issues as they say are “co-ordinated with the government in Belgrade”, which also opposes transforming the KSF into the Kosovo Army.

Serbia's Defence Minister, Aleksandar Vulin, has said that “the establishment of KSF into the armed army would negatively affect regional stability”.

Serbia against

Serbia refuses and will not accept and accept the transformation of the Kosovo Security Forces into the Armed Forces, because this also presents serious violations of all existing agreements”, Serbian media quoted Minister Voulin as quoting.

But that position of Serbia did not displace Kosovo institutions in their goal. Burim Ramadani, connoisseur of security issues, currently in office deputy prime minister of the KSF, told DW, that Kosovo institutions' efforts are serious and he believes in the joint process of transforming the KSF.

“is extremely important that the Serb community in Kosovo is increasing confidence in the KSF each time. This testifies to the opposite of Serbia's positions, which in the past period has increased political pressure on Kosovo Serbs.

The Kosovo government, the KSF ministry and all other institutions are in daily commitment to full co-ordination of the KSF transition process with all local and international actors”, says Burim Ramadani.

According to Mr Ramadani, the transformation of KSF will become fully transparent with NATO and Kosovo partners, as well as with citizens and ethnic communities in Kosovo.

“in each situation, Kosovo institutions are interested and committed to including this process to include constitutional changes, whenever they can happen.

But that, not necessarily, cannot afford the fundamental changes required through legal changes. In this respect, commitment to co-ordinating common approach is ongoing. The transfer of KSF to the substance is done through legal changes.

While constitutional changes change name and maximumise political support in Parliament”, says Burim Ramadani.

The determination of the leaders of Kosovo institutions to turn the KSF into armed forces for Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciq, is pressure on Serb deputies in the Kosovo assembly and pressure on Serbia as well.

The goal of Albanians and part of the international factor to weaken the position of Serbia and the Serbian List in Kosovo is clear. This pressure will continue even further on Kosovo's Serb deputies to accept the founding of the Kosovo Army”, Serbian public media quoted President Vuciq as saying.

Kosovo is considering all possibilities

But Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj sees the establishment of the Kosovo Army in a broader way.

He during a conference held weeks ago in Pristina “NATO and the Western Balkans” have said that “respect in the Balkans is necessary, even Kosovo deserves to join NATO”.

“The challenges we isolate are global extremism, Russia's influence in the Balkans and cyber threats. Respect in the Balkans is necessary. We want and deserve to join NATO. We're making all the effort. We aim to achieve NATO membership by 2020.

The establishment of KSF helps this process and provides security for all citizens”, Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj had declared.

The chairman of the Kadri Wessel Assembly, who said the Kosovo Security Force (FSK) has already achieved the capacity needed to make the direct contribution as a NATO member.

“We are proud of the KSF's cadets for the success they are showing in the biggest military competitions of NATO member states. This success is just one example showing that this force is ready to take on its role in regional and global security dynamics. Its transformation into the Kosovo Army is the non-stop, necessary process and in the interest of all parties”, Kadri Wessel has indicated.

NATO officials and representatives of the international presence have indicated several times that NATO supports the development of current KSF capacities, while its transformation into the Kosovo military remains legal issues that Kosovo institutions must resolve.

If the KSF were to become the Kosovo Army, its mandate would be to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Kosovo, to the citizens indiscriminately, property and interests of the Republic of Kosovo.

The current Kosovo security force, created after the KPC's transformation, is a multiethnic force. According to Deputy Minister Burim Ramadani, 4.2% of active KSF members come from the Kosovo Serb community.

The KSF is currently lightly armed and uniformed and can only participate in operations to save civilians in cases of natural crisis. While, Kosovo border safety is responsible for peacekeeping force KFOR with about five thousand troops. / DW