Kurti: If KFOR Does Not Remove Barricades, We Will

Albin Kurti (Photo: PrintScreen YouTube)

Kosovo Premier Albin Kurti has said that Pristina-controlled police would remove barricades erected by the Serbs in northern Kosovo if the NATO KFOR mission did not.

Kurti said that the barricades, which were established 18 days ago "block Serbs in the north most of all" adding that they "are a violation and oppression of the constitutional order and law and order."

"However, primarily, this is [a measure] against the freedom of movement. KFOR has boasted this year, its 23rd, that it supports peace, stability and primarily the freedom of movement. Well, now it needs to demonstrate that. If it does not want to prove this, then we, unfortunately, will have to deal with the barricades," Kurti said in an interview with Oslobodjenje, O Kanal and Istraga.

He said whether or not there would be incidents in the north of Kosovo "depends on Belgrade's orders," and that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic and Security and Information Agency Director Aleksandar Vulin were calling the shots.

Kurti accused the Serbian authorities of wanting to destabilize the entire region "while waiting for outcome of the war in Ukraine, with the wish for Russia's victory," but also elections in the U.S. in November 2024.

Speaking on the Community of Serb Municipalities in northern Kosovo, Kurti said that Serbs made up only five percent of Kosovo's population "and it is not possible to build a democratic society if someone is privileged all the time."