KFOR and Eulex
Switzerland calls for relaxation between Serbia and Kosovo
Switzerland has again called on all parties involved in the conflict between Serbia and Kosovo not to further aggravate the situation. The Department of Foreign Affairs (EDA) in Bern emphasized the importance of KFOR and Eulex.
A SWISSCOY contingent taking over the flag. (archive image)
KFOR and Eulex are vital to the upkeep and security of local communities in northern Kosovo, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) said on Twitter on Tuesday.
Since 1999, the Swiss Army has been involved with SWISSCOY in the Kosovo peacekeeping mission KFOR (English for Kosovo Force), the multinational military formation set up in 1999 after the end of the Kosovo war under the leadership of NATO. Eulex is the EU rule of law mission in Kosovo.
In northern Kosovo, since December 10, several hundred Kosovo Serbs have set up blockades to protest the arrest of a former Serb police officer and blocked traffic to two border crossings into Serbia.
In view of the tensions, the Serbian government put the army on high alert. Army chief Milan Mojsilovic had previously said that he had been sent to the Kosovo border by President Aleksandar Vucic because of the “complicated situation”.
Kosovo, with its majority Albanian population, declared its independence from Serbia in 2008, but is still considered a breakaway territory by Belgrade. Despite mediation efforts by the EU, the neighboring countries have been at odds for years. Belgrade is encouraging the Serb minority in northern Kosovo in their attempts to defy Pristina’s authority.
(SDA)