Kosovo Police have begun taking over security duties on the main bridge over the Ibar River in Mitrovica. At the same time, additional responsibilities in the area surrounding Decani Monastery are also being transferred to them.
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The process is part of a gradual transition from KFOR’s permanent presence toward greater involvement by Kosovo Police in the security architecture. The change is being viewed as an important step in consolidating local security institutions.
Lawyer Gazmend Halilaj spoke to “Bota sot” about the political and institutional significance of this development, the message it sends to Belgrade, and its potential effects on Kosovo’s domestic political debate.
Halilaj said the phased transfer of responsibilities to Kosovo institutions does not represent a weakening of security or of the international role. On the contrary, according to him, it shows that the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo have expanded their capacities and are assuming greater responsibility.
“KFOR’s decision to gradually adjust its permanent presence on the main bridge over the Ibar River in Mitrovica, following an improvement in the security situation, is of particular importance to Kosovo. Above all, this development should be understood as evidence that the security structures and institutions of the Republic of Kosovo are becoming stronger, while continuously taking on more duties to maintain order and security throughout the country.
KFOR’s role remains extraordinarily important for the stability of Kosovo and the region. However, the objective of every democratic state should be to enable its own institutions to fulfill their responsibilities efficiently. Therefore, the gradual transition from KFOR’s permanent presence to a more flexible engagement does not mean less security, but reflects a more stable situation and greater local capacity,” Halilaj stated.
The lawyer also highlighted the gradual inclusion of Kosovo Police in KFOR’s security architecture at Decani Monastery.
According to him, this process shows that the role of Kosovo Police and trust in the force have increased, particularly in areas where security issues have often been intertwined with political and ethnic tensions.
“The step-by-step integration of Kosovo Police into KFOR’s security architecture at Decani Monastery also carries considerable institutional significance. This change demonstrates that Kosovo Police are increasingly being recognized as a professional and important security institution in the Republic of Kosovo. This is particularly important in areas where security has often been used as a tool to fuel political and ethnic tensions,” he said.
Halilaj went on to emphasize that the latest developments also send Belgrade a clear message: the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo are responsible for security in Kosovo.
He noted that institutional strengthening should not be perceived as an action directed against any community, but as a reinforcement of the state’s constitutional and institutional order.
“Belgrade must clearly understand the message that responsibility for security in Kosovo lies with the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo and that every step that strengthens them serves long-term stability. Such a process should not be interpreted as an action against any community, but as the consolidation of Kosovo’s constitutional and institutional structure.
This development should also serve as an argument for all political actors in Kosovo who oppose or downplay the strengthening of state institutions: building professional and functional institutions benefits every citizen, regardless of ethnic or political affiliation,” Halilaj emphasized.
Regarding the political impact, Halilaj said the Kosovo government could present this development as a political success. However, he stressed that the strengthening of security institutions should not be attributed solely to one government or one party.
In his assessment, security is a matter of state interest, and therefore any progress in this area should be considered an achievement of Kosovo’s institutions as a whole.
“For the Kosovo government, this process can naturally also be regarded as a political achievement, because increased confidence in local capacities and the strengthening of security institutions are beneficial developments for the state. However, it would not be right for an institutional process of this kind to be claimed solely by one government or political entity. The security of the Republic of Kosovo is a matter of state interest, while achievements in this sector should be credited to Kosovo’s institutions as a whole,” he said.
In conclusion, Halilaj also called on the opposition to approach the issue with a sense of responsibility toward the state. He said criticism of the government should not turn into opposition to processes that strengthen security institutions.
According to him, the interests of the state must be placed above party interests because parties and governments change, while state institutions remain.
“For this reason, the opposition must also approach this issue with a sense of responsibility toward the state. The government can be criticized over many issues, but the strengthening of Kosovo Police, improvements in security, and the expansion of the responsibilities of the Republic’s institutions should not be turned into an ordinary partisan clash.
Ultimately, governments change and parties come and go, but state institutions continue to exist. This is precisely a case in which the interests of the state must be placed above party interests,” Gazmend Halilaj concluded for “Bota sot.”
