Serbian Defence Ministry Wants Alone KFOR Guard Kosovo Border

Serbia insists only members of NATO's peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, KFOR, to be deployed at the border on the Kosovo side.

So said after the meeting, Serbian Defence Minister Milos Vuchevic, held on October 25th with Turkish counterpart Yasar Guler.

Turkey has taken over KFOR command in October.

“We strongly encourage direct communication between Serbia's Army Chief of General Staff and KFOR commander, and we insist that only KFOR members will be present along the administrative line by Kosovo and Metohija. Also continue the joint patrols of members of the Serbian Army with KFOR members along administrative line”, Vuchev said.

Serbia, which does not recognise Kosovo, calls the border line administrative with Kosovo.

Kosovo's border with Serbia is guarded by Kosovo Border Police and KFOR members.

Vuchevic said that security in Kosovo “was the main topic of the conversation” with his Turkish counterpart.

“We are encouraged by the guarantees we received from Mr. Guler regarding the security of the Serb community”, he added.

According to the announcement, Vuchev has reiterated Belgrade's stance that Serbs in Kosovo “have no problem with the presence of KFOR members, and their presence lowers tensions and leads to suspension”. / REL/