The formation of a national army in the self-proclaimed republic of Kosovo will not shadow Pristina’s relations with NATO despite opposition by the alliance’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Kosovar Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj said on Thursday.
“On the formation of Kosovo’s army, we had intensive conversations with all interested parties. NATO deals with many issues and, naturally, may have doubts. Meanwhile, Kosovo definitely does not create any danger by the transformation of KSF and is not interested in deteriorating relations with NATO, ” Haradinaj said in his address to the Kosovar parliament, as quoted by the Kim radio station.
In October, the parliament in Kosovo voted to change the mandate of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF). Kosovo’s national army will be officially established on December 14. Stoltenberg on Wednesday slammed Pristina’s decision as “ill-timed” amid tensions with Belgrade.