"KFOR should stay but not train Kosovo forces"

Source: Tanjug

BELGRADE -- Aleksandar Vučić stated on Friday that Serbia "highly appreciates NATO and KFOR's contribution to creating a peaceful environment in Kosovo".

The Belgrade Security Forum (Tanjug)

However, the Serbian first deputy prime minister and defense minister qualified as unacceptable KFOR's role in the forming and training of Kosovo security forces.
Vučić said at the 2nd Belgrade Security Forum that Serbia appreciates all activities of KFOR that are in keeping with UN SC Resolution 1244 and the Military Technical Agreement signed in Kumanovo and in that sense strongly supports KFOR's further stay in the province.

"At the same time, Serbia qualifies as unacceptable KFOR's role in the forming and training of Kosovo security forces. Serbia believes this task is not in keeping with the mandate entrusted," Vučić cautioned.

As a militarily neutral country, Serbia remains committed to cooperating with EU member states and European institutions in the field of mutual security and defense policy, he said.

"Participation of members of the Defense Ministry in EU missions is an indicator of political will and readiness of our country and armed forces to assume the most complex tasks in dealing with contemporary security challenges. Our goal is to make contribution to regional, European and global security in close cooperation with our EU partners," Vučić pointed out.

Stressing that Serbia advocates stable, safe and prosperous Western Balkans, the minister referred to preservation of territorial integrity as the biggest security challenge facing Serbia.

Speaking at the panel dubbed "New Paradigm of the Region: Are the Balkans Finally a Success Story?" Vučić underlined that a stable, safe and prosperous region is in the interest of all Western Balkans countries.

The list of speakers at the panel also includes Slovakian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Miroslav Lajčak, DCAF Director Theodor Winkler and others