The acting Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, has announced changes in the approach to national security, proposing the creation of a new specialized force, the Kosovo Gendarmerie. According to him, recent developments in the region and the increase in organized threats require more advanced mechanisms for the protection of the territory and the constitutional order.
In a joint conference with the acting Minister of the Interior, Xelal Sveçla, Kurti said that the security situation has entered a new phase, where the challenges are not only related to classic criminality, but also to armed groups, cross-border smuggling and the use of modern technologies for destabilization.
“The security situation globally, regionally, but also in the Republic of Kosovo is evolving rapidly. The main challenges include armed groups with paramilitary organization and the continuous smuggling of weapons and goods along the green border line. In order to address these challenges, the establishment of the Gendarmerie as a new specialized, modern and disciplined structure is the necessity of the time. The Gendarmerie will have a clear mandate: securing the border line land, water and air, operations against armed groups, combating cross-border smuggling and securing critical infrastructure”, said Kurti.
According to the presented plan, the Gendarmerie will have responsibility for the surveillance of land, air and water borders, the fight against smuggling, interventions against armed groups as well as the protection of critical state infrastructure.
Kurti announced that the proposed model relies on the practices of several European countries that already have similar security structures. He added that a working group has already been engaged in analyzing the legal and operational aspect of the formation of this force, while the draft law is expected to be processed in the Assembly after the June 7 elections.
“The model of the Gendarmerie is proven European practice, such as in France, Italy, Turkey, Spain and Portugal. The working group is analyzing all aspects of the formation of the Gendarmerie. Its establishment will be made by a special law in the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo”, said Kurti.
Kurti emphasized that the events of recent years, especially in the north of Kosovo, have shown the need for a structure that will act between the competences of the Kosovo Police and the Kosovo Security Force.
“The Kosovo Police has done and continues to do extraordinary work. However, it has a mandate to ensure public order, prevent and investigate crime. We have had continuous attacks over the past few years, especially in the north of the country, against the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, the Kosovo Police, citizens and international missions,” he said.
