FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The Ministry of Defense of Kosovo announced that it has requested the purchase of other weapons, in addition to the 246 Javelin anti-tank missiles that have been requested to be purchased from the USA.
However, the political advisor to the Minister of Defense of Kosovo, Liridona Gashi, told REL that she cannot reveal what other type of weaponry is being requested from Kosovo "because this constitutes classified information".
She clarified that the request to purchase Javelin missiles was made according to a preliminary plan to meet the needs of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) and was not caused by the incidents in the north of Kosovo, although she added that "the terrorist attack in Banjska , as well as the constant threats from Serbia are a concern".
"Supplying with weapons means investing in fulfilling the constitutional mission of the KSF, in protecting the territory of Kosovo and in guaranteeing security for all our citizens", said Gashi, repeating the position given by the official Washington that "stability in Europe it will grow".
Kosovo accused Serbia of the attack in Banjska of Zvecan, in the north of Kosovo inhabited by a majority of Serbs, on September 24 of last year, when a policeman was killed. Belgrade denied these accusations.
The responsibility for the attack was taken by Milan Radoicic, former vice-president of Lista Serbe, the largest party of Serbs in Kosovo, which has the support of Belgrade.
The international community strongly condemned the attack in Banjska and demanded that the perpetrators be brought to justice. In the days following the attack, Kosovo Police found an arsenal of weapons and other equipment left behind by an armed Serb group.
Rashit Qalaj, member of the Parliamentary Committee for Security and Defense Affairs, from the opposition Democratic Party of Kosovo, estimates that Kosovo is forced to be more prepared in terms of equipment and weapons after the attack in Banjska and the frequent threats from Serbia to it. raised combat readiness around the borders with Kosovo.
Experts from the defense intelligence agency, Janes, based in Croydon, Great Britain, share a similar opinion.
"Serbia has followed a militant line recently, and Kosovo in particular has had to face the instability in the north dominated by Serbs, for which they blame the Serbian government", this agency says to REL.
They also add that the invasion of Ukraine by Russia is seen as a "warning of what may happen in the future as Serbia has aligned itself with Russia".
This argument is repeated by Qalaj, who says that even the countries of Western Europe have started to strengthen their armies after the start of the war in Ukraine, in February 2022.
"Kosovo must also increase its capacities, both in personnel and in terms of the procurement of weapons and military equipment", says Qalaj.
He added that Kosovo must also develop professionally in order to prepare for the use of various combat equipment.
Meanwhile, the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, announced on January 12 that the country "is entering a new and decisive phase of strengthening the defense capacities of the state", which includes the development of the Kosovo Security Force in accordance with NATO standards. s.
She expressed her belief that the American Congress will support the sale of the Javelin system to Kosovo to "increase security in Kosovo, in the region and in Europe".
On January 11, the administration of US President Joe Biden notified Congress of the proposed arms sale to Kosovo as part of the US Foreign Military Sales program. Through this US military program, the US Government and a foreign government can reach intergovernmental agreements to provide security assistance.
Kosovo's request includes the purchase of 246 Javelin FGM-148F missiles and tracking equipment, the US Defense and Security Cooperation Agency announced.
Under the Arms Export Control Act, Congress in this case has 30 days to consider the request, but no approval is needed. This period is required before the sale approval letter is issued.
President Osmani said that regarding the program of foreign military sales, she had talked with the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, as early as July 2022.
Liridona Gashi from the Ministry of Defense confirmed that this purchase was part of a plan prepared even before the attack in Banjska, according to the needs of the KSF and the plans for its transformation.
The process of transforming the KSF into the Armed Forces of Kosovo started in December 2018, when the Assembly of Kosovo approved legal amendments to change the mandate of the KSF. This process is planned to last ten years - until 2028.
The Kosovo Security Force currently has around 2,500 members. After the transition period, this number is expected to increase to more than 7,500 and will include active and reserve members.
Previously, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on January 11 that this arms sale "will enhance Kosovo's long-term defense capabilities to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity and to meet its security requirements." national defense".
The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, called the news about the Javelin missiles "a big disappointment, but added that Serbia and the US will work to preserve Serbian-American relations."
"For us, it is of great importance that peace in the region is not broken and that Serbia will continue to act responsibly and contribute to stability in the Balkans," he said.
The Serbian Minister of Defense, Milosh Vučević, told the Belgrade portal Kurir that Serbia cannot change the US policy, but that it can strengthen its defense capability and that there will be an "adequate response"./ REL
Lini një Përgjigje