Odalovic: Declaration is intended to destabilize the region

The President of the Commission for Missing Persons of the Government of Serbia, Veljko Odalovic, stated for Kosovo Online that the memorandum on defense cooperation signed by Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo is a provocative declaration intended to destabilize the region.

He emphasizes that Serbia must respond to Croatia and Albania on this matter because that is the proper course of action.

"Kosovo is not a state. This is a flaw in any agreement that seeks to establish military or any other cooperation in such a manner between states. The declaration is highly provocative because it essentially represents the creation of a new security force, as they perceive it, which includes an entity that, according to Resolution 1244, cannot have an army. Kosovo, with its temporary institutions, does not have an army. The fact that Croatia and Albania ignore this, along with those who arm and support them, poses a future threat to the security of the entire region," Odalovic stated.

He adds that the declaration also serves to destabilize the region, as it serves no other purpose than to allegedly create a large military front, a military force as it will be portrayed.

"What kind of guarantee do they provide, organized in this way, when it comes to regional stability and peace? Nothing good can come out of this. I hope that the entities responsible for responding to this, primarily UNMIK and EULEX, which hold certain responsibilities in Kosovo and Metohija, will recognize and warn about this danger. This force may serve personal promotion and internal purposes, but it holds absolutely no real significance," Odalovic assessed.

He believes that NATO should be the first to take a stance on this matter since it is the only force guaranteeing peace and security in Kosovo with its troops.

"If NATO has its troops there, why is it allowing the signing of any declarations that, among other things, take over its role and responsibilities? Are they present there or not? That is the first question for them. Of course, this also calls for a reaction from the European administration, and I believe that the United States will also address this issue, especially given their critical stance on many recent developments in Kosovo and Metohija, particularly regarding Kurti's actions, as well as NATO's role and that of the so-called international security forces," Odalovic said.

He also points out that everyone must recognize that UN Security Council Resolution 1244 remains in effect.

"Peace, security, and all obligations defined for the international community have not been diminished, revoked, or transferred to anyone else in any way. The fact that everything has been distorted over the years is a problem for the United Nations, the European Union, and NATO, as they have allowed the current situation in Kosovo and Metohija to develop under international administration. The question for them is: Why did they allow this, how long will they continue tolerating it, and are they part of it or not? The question is very simple," Odalovic concluded.