Bedri Elezi: Serbian minister’s statement reveals Belgrade’s approach and encourages radical groups in northern Kosovo

The recent statement by Serbian Minister Paunović has sparked major controversy and a series of reactions in Kosovo, as well as from the European Union. Kosovo security expert Bedri Elezi spoke live from the News24 studio about the consequences this issue could have for national security.

According to Elezi, the position expressed by the minister should not be viewed as an isolated case, as it represents the strategy and true conduct of official Belgrade towards the Republic of Kosovo. He assessed that this rhetoric is used as a signal and an incitement for radical, criminal and terrorist groups operating in the north of the country.

The expert placed the statement in the context of recent developments, recalling that two days earlier Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić had publicly defended Milan Radoičić, the main person responsible for the terrorist attack in Banjska.

“We are seeing a kind of embrace by Serbian politicians of the terrorist groups that carried out the attack in the north. The minister’s statement deliberately provoked an international reaction, seeking to motivate parallel structures to destabilise Kosovo’s constitutional order,” Elezi said.

He added that Russia and Iran also have an interest behind this approach in opening new hotspots of tension in the Balkans. According to him, the aim is to divert the attention of the United States and its allies from other global crises.

Elezi also criticised the response of state institutions in Pristina, describing the management of the situation as insufficient. In his assessment, declaring the Serbian minister persona non grata or warning of criminal complaints remain superficial measures intended only for “political and media consumption”.

According to the security expert, the National Security Council should have been convened immediately to analyse the fluid situation and increase intelligence vigilance.

He also called for the preparation of files containing concrete evidence and for official documents to be sent to the Quint countries and international organisations, instead of making statements to the media.

Elezi further assessed that NATO should receive an official request to increase its presence, particularly at a time when a reduction in forces has been discussed.