Macedonia: Kosovo determined to join NATO

Defence Minister Ejup Macedonia, speaking about the capacities, projects and objectives of the KSF, stressed that the final goal is Kosovo's NATO membership.

Macedonia also spoke of the KSF parade in honour of the country's liberation, separately what was held in Pristina, which was praised as the country's pride, where, he said, the aim was to mark the 25th anniversary of the country's liberation.

He added that KSF is developing as a professional and democratic force being monitored by civil authorities and as such poses no threat to anyone.

Minister Macedonia further disclosed the details of KSF's weapons during the parade parade, citing types of weapons as well as other equipment.

“We are building a force that aims to be an integrated part of NATO and as such is oriented into activities that are related to activities held even in NATO countries”, Macedonia said in dealt RTK Prime.

He next spoke of the KSF's transition starting in 2018, where, among other things, he cited a plan designed in co-operation with the US and other Western partners, enabling address by a limited mission and force, in a force with full military mandate, as he launched into detail the stages of implementation of this plan.

Our “Units are certified by KSF Training Command and Doctrine teams and teams from the US to prove they are capable of conducting combat operations. So when we wave a infantry regiment, it means that this regiment is capable of developing fighting in the defence of the territory and sovereignty of the country and is interoperable with NATO and is willing to operate based on the essential tasks of implementing its mission “, Macedonia stressed.

He also spoke of air support, fears, clarifying their functions where, according to him, as flying machines without pilots, have been modernized recently, becoming a necessary tool for the world's armies.

In this regard, we've scored success, with B2's CHAjrakthar/B2 fears as part of the KSF inventory at an early stage. We're the third country in Europe to have bought this system”, Macedonia said, in ) RTK Primme, while adding that it is one of the air support operations systems.

He added that helicopters are also planned to be bought in the next phase, as air support assets.

Speaking of the KSF budget, the minister indicated that in 2023, some 204m euros have been allocated, while highlighting the achievement of the KSF budgetary standard to 2% of GDP.

Regarding donations from citizens to KSF, Minister Macedonia said there was a will in its support, which, according to him, is managed by the Ministry of Finance, which, as he explained, has been and continues to remain needed as a support fund, while the security situation around the world is tense, apart from Russian aggression in Ukraine and developments in the Middle East.

Macedonia, speaking of Kosovo's transition from observer to associate member of NATO said this belongs more to the assembly. According to him, this is an important achievement, since it offers great opportunities for other institutions in the country, where our militants will be able to present resolutions, be part of the administration of different resolutions, etc.

Speaking on the part of the lobby -- for the final goal of the country's NATO membership -- Minister Macedonia said sufficient lobbies have been made, and that significant steps have been made leading to membership.

Kosovo is part of many joint initiatives that connect with NATO”, Macedonia said, while recalling our country's joint activity with other NATO countries in hosting Afghan refugees, then citing our country's commitment as part of the Contact Group for Ukraine and so on.

Kosovo is determined to join NATO. We have highlighted this at every meeting with NATO member states, at all levels. We are building the Ministry of Defence and KSF according to NATO standards “, Macedonia underlined.

On the other hand, he noted difficulties in moving Kosovo forward for NATO membership by non-recognising countries. He also mentioned several countries that insist on advancing our country towards membership, particularly the United Kingdom, etc.

“Of course we will work to convince non-recognitional countries, not only to support Kosovo's membership in NATO, but also to recognise Kosovo's citizenship”, the minister said.

Speaking of the extent of the country's sovereignty, as well as the security issue in the country, the defence minister said it is the first time our country has managed to extend sovereignty and establish order and law, but which according to him, risks still remain, because members of the Radojcik group, who roam free in Serbia, are still at large.

Macedonia also spoke of the position of KSF soldier in our society, where, among other things, it said the country's citizens had and continue to have a particular sympathy and confidence in the professionalism of KSF. According to him, however, the wages soldiers receive is not enough.

“There is no salary that pays off the KSF's military defeat and sacrifice, but also Kosovo Police Police Police Police Police Police Officer, but their main motive is the homeland of”, Macedonia stressed, as it highlighted the difficulty of preserving capable KSF frameworks, regardless of their low pay, which is a challenge not only in our country, but in the whole world.