Pristina, July 22, 2025 — Kosovo’s Acting Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, has strongly condemned statements made by Serbian Defense Minister Miloš Gashić, who accused the Kosovo Government of “terrorism and ethnic cleansing” under the guise of fighting crime.
In a sharp rebuttal posted on Facebook, Maqedonci called Gashić’s remarks a continuation of the destabilizing rhetoric long espoused by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, likening the discourse to the ideology of war criminal Slobodan Milošević.
“When it comes to crime and destabilization, we remind Minister Gashić that the state policy of Serbia remains the greatest and most dangerous generator and supporter of destabilization and crime in the Western Balkans,” Maqedonci stated.
He accused Serbian state structures of conducting a hybrid war against Kosovo, citing:
- Military threats through regional militarization,
- Harboring terrorist groups, including those led by convicted criminal Milan Radoičić,
- Disinformation campaigns,
- Diplomatic warfare, and
- Sabotage efforts aimed at undermining Kosovo’s sovereignty and legal order.
Maqedonci noted that Serbia is unsettled by Kosovo’s institutional strengthening under the leadership of Prime Minister Albin Kurti.
“This campaign against our state has intensified due to the tangible successes of the Government and its institutions in establishing law and order across the territory of the Republic, strengthening public administration, and ensuring the protection of sovereignty and the lives of every citizen—without exception,” he said.
He called it “the height of hypocrisy” for Serbia to accuse Kosovo of militarization while organizing military parades to intimidate the region.
In response to Serbian claims that Kurti’s government discriminates against non-Albanian communities, Maqedonci argued that the reality is quite the opposite, emphasizing inclusion and protection for all citizens.
Finally, Maqedonci urged for two immediate actions to ensure lasting peace in the Balkans:
- De-hegemonization of Serbian politics, and
- Decriminalization of the Serbian Army, explicitly naming General Milan Mojsilović, the current Chief of the Serbian General Staff, for his command role in military actions during the war in the Ferizaj region.
