The transformation of what used to be the light-armed Kosovo Security Force (FSK) into a full-fledged military as well as its rearmament constitute a "great" threat to regional stability, Marko Duric, the director of the Serbian government's office for Kosovo and Metohija, told Sputnik
BELGRADE (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 18th February, 2019) The transformation of what used to be the light-armed Kosovo Security Force (FSK) into a full-fledged military as well as its rearmament constitute a "great" threat to regional stability, Marko Duric, the director of the Serbian government's office for Kosovo and Metohija, told Sputnik.
In December, Kosovar lawmakers passed several bills to transform the republic's security force into a full-fledged military. Pristina's armed forces are expected to comprise 5,000 active duty soldiers and 3,000 reservists. The 2019 budget for the Kosovar armed forces totals 58.5 million Euros ($66.1 million).
"FSK has for a long time been equipped and trained by some Western countries. So far, this support has been reflected in the supply of small arms and light armored vehicles [to Kosovo] ... Changes to the law, which is an unilateral change of the Kosovo Security Force's mandate, actually made it an army. That creates a pseudo-legal basis for armament with more complex combat systems ... [and poses a] great threat to the Serbian people and the security of the entire region," Duric said.
The official added that the amendments to the FSK mandate had violated the ceasefire agreement between the governments of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Republic of Serbia, and the International Security Force (KFOR), NATO's international military force. The agreement, signed in the Macedonian city of Kumanovo, recognized the KFOR as the only armed force in Kosovo.
Kosovar Deputy Defense Minister Agim Ceku said in November that the newly created army of the self-proclaimed republic of Kosovo would have its own artillery, air defense, and biological and chemical protection, but only "for defense."
Kosovo unilaterally proclaimed independence from Serbia in 2008 and is recognized by over 100 UN member states. Serbia, as well as two members of the UN Security Council � Russia and China � and a number of other countries do not recognize Kosovo's independence.
