Petritsch: KFOR has a task to keep the peace and restore security in Kosovo

Former EU’s Special Envoy for Kosovo Wolfgang Petritsch believes that at this moment it is most important that KFOR takes over its task, to ensure security and thereby prevent further escalation of the situation in Kosovo.

Asked about Belgrade's decision to submit a request for the return of Serbian security forces to Kosovo, in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolution 1244, Petritsch points out that KFOR's task is to calm the situation.

"Now it is important that KFOR takes over its task and restores security, thus preventing further escalation. KFOR's task is to take care of restoring peace," Petritsch told Kosovo Online.

He points out that it is KFOR that must discuss the UN Resolution 1244, but that now the most important thing is to consider how it can ensure security for all citizens of northern Kosovo because that is the key role of KFOR.

"It is clear that this must be discussed with Belgrade. I know that this is already happening," Petritsch added.

When asked about the submission of Pristina's request for EU membership, he said that anyone could submit such a request and that it would certainly be analyzed in detail, and it would certainly take some time until Pristina received an answer.

Petritsch emphasizes that it is in the interest of Kosovo if it really wants to go towards EU membership, to treat the values and wishes of the EU constructively, and that, first of all, means the implementation of all the agreements reached in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

"The priority must be dealing with the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities, the establishment of which was agreed upon back in 2013. Pristina should create an honest model of how it could look," Petritsch is clear.

He warns that the situation is dangerous, but his impression was that the EU and the US were ready to work actively to prevent further escalation.