PRISTINA (Kosovo), December 14 (SeeNews) – Kosovo parliament has passed a set of laws paving the way for the transformation of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into a professional army, the government said on Friday.
The adoption of three laws for initiating the process of KSF transormation finalises the full internal consolidation of the Republic of Kosovo, the government said in a press release, following the vote in parliament.
The move was backed by the US, while NATO warned that it was ill-timed, as it risks heightening tensions with Serbia which does not recognise the independence of Kosovo.
The US reaffirms its support for the gradual transition of the KSF to a force with a territorial defense mandate, as is Kosovo’s sovereign right, the US Embassy in Kosovo said in a press release after the vote.
“These laws bring no immediate change to the structure, mission, or operations of the force, rather, they represent the beginning of the practical, ongoing work of building a transparent, multi-ethnic, NATO-interoperable force that serves all of Kosovo’s communities, in accordance with the Government of Kosovo’s 10-year transition plan,” the US embassy noted.
The US embassy also noted that regional stability requires that Pristina make genuine efforts to normalize relations with Belgrade.
NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said that Kosovo made its decision despite the concerns expressed by the Alliance, adding that all sides must ensure that the decision for KSF transition will not further increase tensions in the region.
“While the transition of the Kosovo Security Force is in principle a matter for Kosovo to decide, we have made clear that this move is ill-timed,” Stoltenberg said in a separate statement.
“NATO supports the development of the Kosovo Security Force under its current mandate. With the change of mandate, the North Atlantic Council will now have to re-examine the level of NATO’s engagement with the Kosovo Security Force,” NATO secretary general noted. “NATO remains committed through KFOR to a safe and secure environment in Kosovo and to stability in the wider Western Balkans.
Kosovo, considered to be a potential candidate for EU membership by the European Commission, unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and has so far has been recognized by more than half of the 193 UN member states.