NATO, EU missions in Kosovo say opt for de-escalation

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
24 Sep 2023 20:56

Partially recognized Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti reported earlier in the day that unidentified individuals had opened fire on Kosovo police officers.

Kosovo riot police and KFOR (International Military Mission to Kosovo) military police, secure entrance to municipal building in Zvecan, northern Kosovo on May 29, 2023. (AFP)

The so-called European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) and NATO's Kosovo Force (KFOR) have expressed their readiness to offer assistance in de-escalating the situation in Kosovo, where police officers have come under attack, according to statements released on Sunday.

Partially recognized Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti reported earlier in the day that unidentified individuals had opened fire on Kosovo police officers in the northern municipality of Zvecan on Sunday night, resulting in one fatality and one injury. The incident occurred around 3:00 AM local time (01:00 GMT) near the village of Banjska, approximately 30 miles from Pristina.

"KFOR continues to closely monitor the situation in Banjska, and KFOR troops are present in the area, prepared to respond if necessary," stated the mission, as reported on X.

They also indicated that Angelo Ristuccia, the mission's commander, maintains close communication with "all international stakeholders," including the European Union and the Chief of Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces, Gen. Milan Mojsilovic, to find a resolution to the situation.

EULEX chief Giovanni Pietro Barbano expressed his shock at the incident on X. He extended condolences to the family of the deceased police officer and wished a speedy recovery to the injured officer.

Barbano added, "EULEX, as [Kosovo's] 2nd security responder, is fully engaged in closely monitoring the situation on the ground and is ready to support Kosovo institutions to the maximum extent possible in maintaining stability and security for all its communities, in close coordination with KFOR."

The Serbian government's Office for Kosovo and Metohija reported that unknown individuals threw grenades into the yards of three representatives of the Serbian List party in Kosovo on Friday night. Belgrade views this as an intimidation attempt by Kosovo Albanians. Serbia has not recognized Kosovo's independence and continues to refer to it as its autonomous region of Kosovo and Metohija.

In late May, clashes erupted in Kosovo when local police forcibly installed new ethnic Albanian mayors in offices in several northern cities following municipal elections in April. The elections were boycotted by the Serb community but were declared valid despite a voter turnout of less than 3.5%. The clashes resulted in over 50 Serbian protesters and at least 30 NATO peacekeeping troops sustaining injuries.

KFOR was deployed in Kosovo in 1999 to maintain stability in the region. It consists of troops from NATO member countries, partner nations, and non-NATO countries under unified command and control.

EULEX, launched in 2008, is the largest civilian mission under the EU Common Security and Defense Policy and conducts monitoring, mentoring, and advising activities. The EU mission's current mandate is set to expire in June 2025.