The spokesperson for the outgoing Kosovo government, Përparim Kryeziu, stated that authorities have launched preliminary investigations to identify possible perpetrators behind recent shooting incidents at the border with Montenegro. Montenegrin authorities reportedly sent a verbal note to the Kosovo Embassy in Podgorica regarding these events.
Montenegro has indicated that the gunfire is suspected to have originated from Kosovo’s side near the Hajlla-Shtedim ski center, close to the border between the two countries.
The first incident occurred in July of last year, when damage was observed at a ski center cabin, while a second incident took place on August 24 of this year, involving gunfire directed at a building at the ski center. Montenegrin authorities have opened cases and are conducting investigations into these incidents.
Kryeziu told Radio Free Europe that Kosovo was notified through diplomatic channels and that the Kosovo Border Police immediately began patrolling the Shtedim area, although no material evidence confirming the location or circumstances of the incidents has been found.
“However, under the direction of the Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Peja, preliminary investigations have been launched to identify possible perpetrators, relying also on information from local sources,” Kryeziu said.
He added that Kosovo security institutions, specifically the Kosovo Police, are prepared to organize a meeting with Montenegrin border authorities to intensify cooperation, exchange operational information, and prevent negative occurrences along the border. So far this year, the two countries have conducted 30 joint patrols in border areas.
Fadil Gashi, from the Kosovo Police for the Peja region, stated that there is no information about security incidents at the Kosovo-Montenegro border and that regional police are primarily focused on maintaining public order and safety, rather than international incidents.
Kosovo and Montenegro signed the Border Demarcation Agreement in 2015. Montenegro ratified it the same year, while the Kosovo Assembly ratified it three years later.
