Prime Minister Albin Kurti expressed being “deeply concerned” at the start of a government meeting, addressing the Serbian army’s exercises near the border.
He stated that “Kosovo’s institutions remain vigilant and prepared to confront any threat,” adding that “it is time for the international community to punish this destabilizing approach of Serbia, which directly threatens regional security and peace.”
Kurti emphasized that it is “high time” for the democratic world to “take concrete steps” to protect the Albanians in the Presevo Valley, urging them not to fall prey to provocations.
“These provocations near the border strip in Karaçevë by Serbia’s 63rd Parachute Brigade, through helicopter exercises with H145M helicopters and parachute threats just meters from Kosovo’s border, constitute a dangerous display of aggression. This display is even more alarming when we recall that the same unit trained and supported the group of criminal Milan Radoiçiq, who carried out the aggressive and terrorist attack in the village of Banjskë in Zvečan, where they killed police officer Afrim Bunjaku – a hero of Kosovo,” he said.
Kurti added that “these military movements, combined with the provocative rhetoric of Serbian President Vučiç, the supposed preparation for a potential attack by a Croatia-Albania-Kosovo alliance, as well as the purchase of Chinese and Russian weaponry, confirm that Serbia is using Russia as a tool of blackmail to keep the Balkans under constant tension.”
He highlighted the current global security situation, calling it “extremely fragile,” and noted that Belgrade is exploiting this.
“Belgrade is taking advantage of this moment to challenge the readiness of local and international security institutions, and, more broadly, the stability of the Western Balkans, according to Serbia’s interests and those of its allies Russia and Iran, who seek unrest, conflict, and instability everywhere.”
