Serbian forces in Kosovo? Shea: Belgrade knew the answer even before applying

He for Klkosova.tv gave further clarifications on how to what period KFOR could review such requirements as Serbia's, for the return of Serbian forces to Kosovo.

The” is up to KFOR to determine what and when to respond to Belgrade's request, but I am convinced that Serbian authorities already knew the answer even before the request was formulated. The head of NATO Joint Forces Command, Naples (responsible for Kosovo), was in Belgrade on Monday to speak with President Vuciq, so I am convinced that relevant messages have been sent about the need to work for calm and escalation”, he said.

Shea says KFOR is responsible for security throughout Kosovo and has the authority to determine whether it needs help from foreign parties.

” KFOR has reinforced its presence in northern Kosovo in recent days along with EULEX police. Therefore, I cannot imagine that the introduction of Serb forces in Kosovo is necessary or desirable. Such a movement could escalate the situation only when all efforts should focus on de-terration. It would be better for Serbia to focus its efforts on preventing right-wing radicals from trying to enter Kosovo to stir up trouble or try to catch the border points as happened during the weekend”, specifys among other things.

The Briton, who was part of NATO until his retirement in 2018, points out that he has not yet seen a desire on KFOR's part to change the deal that belongs to Resolution 1244.

” since 1999, KFOR, working with the EULEX mission and the Kosovo Security Forces, has been responsible for security in Kosovo. I don't see any desire to change this agreement, which is included in UN Security Council Resolution 1244. Since their withdrawal from Kosovo in 1999, Serbian forces have no right to re-enter Kosovo without KFOR and international authorisation, and I do not see that being given”.

Jamie Shea, also a spokesman for NATO during the war in Kosovo, there are also recommendations on how it could possibly deal with the current policies to overcome this tension situation between Kosovo and Serbia.

We need to deal with the current situation in the north and remove the barricades. That is what KFOR intends to do in the coming days. All parties should show restraint and stop using stimulating rhetoric by talking about possible wars or giving exaggerated images of the situation. Kosovo Serbs who have left their posts in the police and administration must return. The order and effective law must be decided in the north”.

” Prime Minister Kurti has heard the international community and postponed the implementation of the plates, which is a positive step, but the Kosovo government should seriously think about how it can better communicate with its ethnic Serb population in the north and better. Explains her politics. All of us have to do a better job of opposing the systematic disinformation and propaganda that promotes violence and extremism. Beyond this immediate challenge is likely to resume the Pristina-Belgrade dialogue under the auspices of the EU and the US in the New Year and draft a concrete guide for Serbia to recognise Kosovo and normalise relations with it. However, this will not be easy, since maintaining the status quo is often an easier option for politicians than making difficult compromises to achieve true peace. So it will require the massive and ongoing commitment and pressure of the EU and the US supported by other parties such as Great Britain and the UN to succeed”.

He also had a message for the Serb side, which he says a positive signal from Brussels to official Pristina on the EU application case would have a role in thinking in Belgrade compared to unresolved issues.

Serbia also has to decide which camp it wants to be: liberal democracies working for the welfare of their peoples or authoritarians working solely for the well-being of their strong leaders”.

I strongly support and welcome Kosovo's recent decision to apply for EU membership and hope that Brussels will send a positive signal to Pristina in 2023. This could also help to influence thinking in Belgrade”.