Radojevic: Increasing the number of Kosovo Police and KSF members raises concerns among Serbs

Milan Radojevic, a member of the Serb List and former mayor of North Mitrovica, says for Kosovo Online that the announcement by Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti about increasing the number of Kosovo Police and Kosovo Security Force members only raises concerns among Serbs in Kosovo and that at this moment the security of the Serbian people would benefit solely from strengthening KFOR forces.

Kurti announced at a party meeting for the Self-Determination Movement yesterday that Kosovo would have 600 more members in the Kosovo Security Force and 500 more police officers next year compared to this year. He also instructed the party members to convey to all activists and citizens that "they will not be able to stop them, neither in the south nor in the north."

According to Radojevic, Kurti's decision sends a clear message that he is not ready to provide peace and security to the Serbian people.

"Such announcements have the opposite effect of what some might expect. In normal societies, an increase in the number of police officers should imply greater security. However, in the case of northern Kosovo over the past year, we have seen that the increase in their numbers has had the opposite effect," Radojevic stated.

As he emphasized, that is evident in the numerous incidents that citizens have had with special units and regular members of the Kosovo Police.

"So, such announcements do not instill any confidence in the safety of Serbs in Kosovo, both in the north and in central Kosovo, Pomoravlje, and other parts of Kosovo," he stressed.

Radojevic emphasizes that what the Serbs currently expect and what would help increase security in Serbian communities is a greater presence of KFOR troops.

"That is what Serbs are expecting, not such announcements that only contribute to further instability and the violation of previously agreed-upon agreements," he stated.

He believes that Kurti's message through the reinforcement of police forces in the north is very clear, and it does not promote peace, agreements, or the resolution of security issues for Serbs in Kosovo.

"In other words, all the potential actions he is taking on the ground are contrary to what they should mean – contributing to peace and creating an atmosphere of safety and security, not only for Serbs but for all citizens living in Kosovo and Metohija. Unfortunately, Serbs do not accept this message with any assurance that they will have a safer environment," Radojevic said.