President Macedonia: Tensions in Kosovo do not endanger regional stability

The country's president made his first visit to the Defence Ministry and the Army Ministry, following what a media conference with Minister Radmila Sekerinska was held, where they were asked about recent tensions in the Republic of Kosovo and the possibility of repairing borders.

President Pendarovski said competent institutions have carefully followed the situation at the border between Northern Macedonia and Kosovo, and that they have been in co-operation with KFOR forces.

“assessments of KFOR's service in Kosovo and of key international factors, as well as of our institutions co-operating with them, are that in the future, even if there are similar situations, they will not be of such proportion to endanger the security of the Republic of Northern Macedonia, nor endanger security in the region”, Pendarovski said.

He also voiced opposition to the idea of correcting the borders between Kosovo and Serbia, stressing that this idea does not belong to the 21st century.

Commenting on the recent tensions in Kosovo, Northern Macedonia Defence Minister Radmila Sekerinska stressed the importance of the country's NATO membership.

For this in 2017 we set the focus on our NATO membership so that we can ensure that our state has additional security guarantees, even in the event of regional instability. That is why we expect neither direct influence in security nor influence on economic indicators”, Sekerinska said.

Tensions in the Republic of Kosovo escalated following the police operation conducted Tuesday, where 19 Kosovo Police members suspected of several criminal acts were arrested, including “participation or organisation of the criminal group”.

The action was marked by specific resistance, resulting in five police officers, one of whom suffered gunshot wounds.