British PM confirms reinforced commitment in Kosovo
Prime Minister Theresa May confirmed this week Britain’s reinforced commitment to peacekeeping operations in Kosovo, sending a clear message to regional authorities as the tension between Kosovo and Serbia remains high.
May addressed the Republican Party conference and spoke about the special relationship between the UK and the U.S.A. On Friday, she became the first foreign leader to be hosted by the new U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, since he came to office on Jan. 20th.
Speaking about the NATO alliance, May said we “
should not undermine the alliances that keep us strong by failing to step up and play their part. This is something Britain has always understood. It is why Britain is the only country in the G20 – other than yours – to meet its commitment to spend 2% of GDP on defense, and to invest 20% of that in upgrading equipment.”
“
It is why Britain is a leading member – alongside the United States – of the coalition working successfully to defeat Daesh; why we have agreed to send 800 troops to Estonia and Poland as part of NATO’s forward presence in eastern Europe; why we are increasing our troop contribution to NATO’s Resolute Support mission that defends the Afghan government from terrorism; and it is why we are reinforcing our commitment to peacekeeping operations in Kosovo, South Sudan and Somalia,
” May said.
The statement comes as the tension between Kosovo and Serbia remain high since a train with writings saying “Kosovo is Serbia” left Belgrade and was directed towards Kosovo in early January. Kosovo vowed not to let the train in and sent armed forces at the border. Serbian authorities later decided to turn the train back, avoiding what the called “a provocation” from Kosovo Albanians.
At the meantime, Former Kosovo PM Ramush Haradinaj was arrested in France three weeks after an arrest warrant was issued by Serbia back in 2004. Haradniaj was later released on bail, but he is not allowed to leave France until another court verdict. Serbia has issued arrest warrants for tens of former Kosovo Liberation Army fighters and accuses them to have killed Serbian civilians. Haradniaj was previously found innocent by the International Court of Hague.
This week, President Hashim Thaci accused Serbia of arming the Serbian nationals living in northern regions of Kosovo. In an interview with “Deutsche Welle”, Thaci said that “
Serbia is trying to implement Russian model in Ukraine. (Belgrade) is sending civilians, but also uniformed people to the north of Kosovo and is arming Serbs with handguns and other weapons.”