
“Of course we have some concerns, especially with regard to the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also with regard to relations between Serbia and Kosovo,” said the NATO chief. “However, we are in contact with Kosovo, but also with Serbia, to ensure that the elections that will take place in Kosovo later in February do not lead to destabilization.”
That is the key. “We must remain really closely involved in the Western Balkans region, because this is a key region for us,” said Rutte. Regular parliamentary elections will be held in Kosovo on February 9. Over the past two years, there has been great tension in the north of the country, culminating in the Serbian aggression in Banjska Zvecan, in which police sergeant Afrim Bunjaku was killed. Three more Serbian attackers were killed during the ensuing exchange of fire. Responsibility for the attack was claimed by Milan Radoicic, former vice president of the Serbian List, the largest Serbian party in Kosovo, which is supported by Belgrade.
Meanwhile, a terrorist attack on the Ibër Lepenc canal in Zubin Potok occurred in November last year, threatening to leave large parts of Kosovo without electricity and water. During the debate in the EP, the Alliance leader said that in these dangerous times, it is imperative that the European Union and NATO strengthen their cooperation. According to him, Russia is making efforts to destabilize the member countries of the Alliance and the European bloc. “We are deeply concerned about security in Europe,” he said. “We are not at war, but we are not at peace either,” he said, calling on member countries to increase investment in security and defense./TheGeopost