Feith criticises Serbia's policy: Must understand it once and for all, Kosovo is independent

Dutch diplomat Pieter Feith has criticised Serbia's policy.

He says the Serbian state should understand once and for all that Kosovo is independent and sovereign and that the northern issue is closed.

Belgrade continues to play with several cards in foreign policy, having good Western relations as well as with China and Russia.

And that policy of Serbia is criticising former European Union special representative in Kosovo, Pieter Feith.

He in an interview for Tv1 says the moment has come when Serbia will determine which way it will choose.

According to him, there will be no lasting peace in the region unless Serbia acknowledges that Kosovo is independent and sovereign.

There are serious concerns regarding the security issue in the region, especially in northern Kosovo. Serbia still refuses to acknowledge that Kosovo is an independent state and that the northern part belongs only to Kosovo. This is one of the main reasons the security situation continues to be sensitive in Kosovo. The two countries must do more to continue the path towards full membership in the European Union, only thus is the Western Balkan region safer. So in particular Serbia must have it clear once and for all about which path it will take”, the Dutch diplomat told Tv1.

In addition, Feith has spoken about the sensitive security situation in the northern part of Kosovo.

According to him, despite NATO considering adding troops to Kosovo, Kosovo Police are the first force to ensure security in that part.

“Of course the council NATO will discuss the possibility of raising troops in Kosovo, but I think Kosovo Police should first ensure security in the northern part of the country and then assist by KFOR. If Kosovo police are too busy, then normally there should be more support from NATO. It's no good signal that in 2023 we're still talking about these security issues”, he said.

The Dutch diplomat still views Russia as a threat to peace in the Western Balkan region.

“Yes, Russia is interested in the turmoil in the Western Balkan region, and therefore the secretary general has been alarmed NATO, Jens Staltenberg. After Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, no one can feel secure, but of course NATO is too powerful to react if the situation escalates. In this period the Western states must be very vigilant”, he has indicated.

On 24 September this year, Kosovo Police were attacked by a terrorist formation where Sergeant Africa Bulnjak was killed.

Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciq, disagrees that Serbia is responsible for the attack on Zvecan Banjska.