Resigned Kosovo Interior Minister Xhelal Sveclja said that Serbia has recently violated Kosovo's airspace, as there has been occasional unauthorized movement of drones.
"Look, we are constantly threatened by Serbia. Lately, I believe you already know, there has been unauthorized movement or violation of our airspace by drones, which from time to time circle or violate our airspace," Sveclja said yesterday on the "60 Minutes" program of Kosovo television „Kohavision“ (KTV / KTV).
He added that several cases of Serbian drones over Kosovo have been registered, which Kosovo authorities are investigating in cooperation with the NATO peacekeeping force in Kosovo (KFOR) and other partners.
Sveclja said that there is currently no reason for concern among Kosovo citizens and added that when there is more information on the matter, it will be made public.
When asked whether this drone movement was the reason last week for KFOR to ban flights in the area around the Kosovo Energy Corporation (KEK) from September 1, Sveclja did not give a direct answer, but said that Kosovo is taking steps to protect its critical infrastructure.
According to the outgoing Kosovo Interior Minister, the military parade that Serbia organized last week is "in itself a threat against the Republic of Kosovo, especially since most of the countries surrounding Serbia are members of the largest military alliance NATO, which means that Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, but also Bulgaria and other neighboring countries cannot be vulnerable to Serbia".
"Potentially there are two countries that Serbia could affect, they are first of all Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is facing political uncertainty, but also a constantly risky situation, and the Republic of Kosovo, which, although it is getting stronger every day and achieving successes, is again facing this old hegemonic policy of Serbia", said Sveclia.
Serbia does not recognize the independence of Kosovo declared in 2008. The two countries are conducting a dialogue to normalize their relations with the mediation of the EU.
The resigned Interior Minister also commented on the closure by the Kosovo authorities of the so-called "parallel" from Pristina institutions in Northern Kosovo, where the majority of Kosovo Serbs live.
In Kosovo, there are municipalities, public companies and enterprises, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools and public universities that are directly financed by the Serbian government and are located in cities and towns where the Serbian community lives. According to Kosovo law, these institutions are illegal, and Pristina calls them "parallel institutions".
According to Sveclia, all parallel institutions "throughout the Republic of Kosovo, except for those in health and education, have already been closed". He stressed that all actions that the Kosovo authorities have taken in Northern Kosovo have been coordinated with the international community, although they have provoked reactions.
Both the US and the EU have criticized a number of actions by the Kosovo government related to Northern Kosovo. What the Kosovo authorities call "extension of sovereignty" and rule of law throughout the country, is often called by the EU and the US “unilateral and uncoordinated actions“.
"We are constantly working with our friendly countries so that these actions (to close the parallel institutions) can be truly welcomed, welcomed, supported by our allies. (...) in essence, no one justifies the existence of these parallel institutions. Their purpose was not to serve the citizens. The main purpose of the parallel institutions was to undermine the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, to violate its sovereignty, and potentially its territorial integrity," said Sveclia.
He also spoke about the participation of the largest Kosovo Serb party "Serb Lista", which enjoys the support of Belgrade, in the local elections in Kosovo on October 12. Svechlya stated that regardless of who the winner is in Northern Kosovo, the chosen one is obliged to abide by the laws of Kosovo.
"It is important for us that order and law prevail on every centimeter of the territory of the Republic of Kosovo. And this is uncompromising", Svechlya also stated.