Kurt doesn't take war off his mind: Serbia is establishing close ties with Russia, China, Kosovo must join NATO

Albin Kurti said that over the past 25 years, the Republic of Kosovo has been strengthened with the help of international allies and partners like the US, Great Britain and the European Union. However, he said Serbia has intensified its co-operation with Russia, China and Iran.

Serbia is currently creating ever closer ties with Russia and China. At a time when we are experiencing war in Europe, we cannot ignore the threat of another war in a region that knows very well what it means, he said.

He told delegates on the third day of the conference held at the King's College in London that Serbia's alignment with Russia -- “its devastating” approach to the Republic of Kosovo and its “marning it fast and large” are indications that it aims to escalate with the aim of achieving its territorial ambitions.

The risk of a new war is real. The time and sincerity we saw 25 years ago must be renewed today”

He said the Republic of Kosovo is seeking to join NATO and said countries supporting democratic values “should close the political and practical vacuum that makes authoritarian figures believe an attack on another European country is applicable”.

We want to join NATO as soon as possible. ... we should work together to membership in NATO in this decade and contribute to security and also benefit”, Kurti said.

He said the fight against organised crime is closely linked to ensuring his country's security, and so the Kosovo police have dismantled 111 different criminal groups, seized over 2.4 tonnes of narcotics, destroyed 17 narcotics labs and eliminated about 50,000 narcotics plants, plus 35 illegal border routes. They're closed.

Prime Minister Kurti was speaking during the third day of the Defence Conference in London held at Bush's House, which brings together security experts, political, academic leaders and to consider how to strengthen defence and security in an increasingly dangerous world.