The acting spokesperson of the Government of Kosovo, Përparim Kryeziu, stated that authorities have launched preliminary investigations to identify possible perpetrators of shooting incidents at the border with Montenegro. These incidents prompted Montenegrin authorities to send a verbal note to the Embassy of Kosovo in Podgorica.
Montenegro has alleged that the gunfire originated from the Kosovo side in the area near the Montenegrin ski resort Hajla-Shtedim, close to the border between the two countries.
The first incident occurred in July of last year, when damage was reported to a ski resort cabin. The second incident took place on August 24 of this year, when shots were fired at a resort facility. Montenegrin authorities have opened cases and are conducting investigations into both incidents.
Kryeziu stated that Kosovo was informed through diplomatic channels by Montenegro and that the Kosovo Border Police immediately began patrolling the Shtedim area. However, no physical evidence was found to confirm the location or circumstances of the incidents.
“Nevertheless, under the instruction of the Basic Prosecution in Peja, preliminary investigations have begun to identify possible perpetrators, also relying on information from local sources,” Kryeziu told RFE/RL.
He further noted that Kosovo’s security institutions, namely the Kosovo Police, expressed readiness to organize a meeting with Montenegrin border authorities in order to intensify cooperation, exchange operational information, and prevent negative incidents along the border. He added that this year alone, the two countries have conducted 30 joint patrols in border areas.
Fadil Gashi from the Kosovo Police in the Peja region told RFE/RL days earlier that there was no information about security incidents at the Kosovo-Montenegro border, emphasizing that the regional police were more engaged in “maintaining public order and safety” rather than dealing with international incidents.
Montenegro and Kosovo signed the Border Demarcation Agreement in 2015. Montenegro ratified it the same year, while the Assembly of Kosovo ratified it three years later.
