Serbia to request permission to deploy its troops in Kosovo

The Serbian government asked the NATO peacekeeping commander to allow Serbia to send up to 1000 police officers and soldiers to Kosovo, President Aleksandar Vucic announced on Thursday (14 December).

This is the first time Belgrade has asked to send troops to Kosovo since the United Nations Security Council resolution that ended the 1998-1999 war in which NATO bombed rump Yugoslavia, comprising Serbia and Montenegro, to protect the Albanian-majority Kosovo.

Vucic stated that the government would request the return of hundreds, but not more than 1,000, army and police soldiers. He also said they will email the request to KFOR, NATO's mission in Kosovo, and hand it at a border crossing Friday.

Vucic stated, "I don't expect to receive a positive response."

This request was made during a string of clashes that took place between the Kosovo authorities and Serbs living in the northern region where they make up a majority.

According to the UN resolution, Serbia could be permitted, subject to approval by KFOR, its personnel at border crossings, Orthodox Christian religious site and other areas with Serb majority.

With Western support, Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008. 110 countries recognize Kosovo's independence, but not Serbia, Russia or five European Union member nations.

On Thursday, Kosovo President Vjosa Olmani stated to the parliament that "we are all witnessing Serbia’s constant threat towards Kosovo".

"Serbia, and its leader Vucic, know that the presence in Kosovo of the Serbian Army ended on June 12, 1999."

Serbia wants to join the EU. However, it must resolve its issues with Kosovo in order to do so. On Thursday, Kosovo submitted a request for EU membership.

Although both sides have reached an agreement to the EU-sponsored dialogue in 2013, little has been done.

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