Urgent statement of the Ministry of Defense after an arrest of Kurti's special forces

Urgent statement of the Ministry of Defense after an arrest of Kurti's special forces

"The insinuations of the Prime Minister of the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government in Pristina that the Serbian Army was involved in the "kidnapping of three Kosovo police officers" within the territory of Kosovo and Metohija are just a continuation of the campaign of lies, manipulation and illegal violence perpetrated against the Serbs by the Pristina authorities."

As they point out, the Serbian Armed Forces carry out the tasks of controlling the Land Security Zone and securing the administrative line with Kosovo and Metohija in full compliance with Resolution 1244 of the United Nations Security Council, Military-Technical and all other signed agreements.

"In the implementation of these tasks, the Serbian Army closely cooperates with other security forces of the Republic of Serbia and KFOR, with whom it maintains professional contacts at all levels in order to monitor the situation on the ground and preserve a safe and secure environment," they announced.

They emphasize that "in accordance with the Military-Technical Agreement, which defined the deployment of international security forces in our southern province, agreements were signed specifying the actions of KFOR and the security forces of the Republic of Serbia on both sides along the administrative line with Kosovo and Metohija".

"It is about the Agreement on temporary operational procedures for cooperation and coordination on both sides along the administrative line with Kosovo and Metohija and instructions for its implementation. The said agreement gave approval to the forces of the Republic of Serbia to be in the Land Security Zone, established procedures for cooperation, coordination and overcoming of conflicts and it was agreed that the parties to the agreement will prevent illegal crossings of the administrative line. These agreements do not recognize forces other than KFOR and the forces of the Serbian Army and the police, from which it follows that the presence of other armed persons or formations near the administrative line is inadmissible", it was stated in the announcement.

They say that they strongly condemn attempts to destabilize the security situation in Kosovo.

"Strictly condemning all attempts to destabilize the security situation in Kosovo and Metohija, we emphasize that the Serbian Armed Forces remain unwaveringly committed to the professional and responsible execution of tasks in the Land Security Zone, in accordance with the assigned missions and tasks and all signed agreements aimed at preserving peace and stability", it is emphasized in the announcement.