Ramush Haradinaj, Kosovo’s Prime Minister, invited on Friday all Balkans’ armed forces, included the Army of Serbia, to become partners to the newly transformed Pristina’s Security Forces, the Beta news agency reported.
During the ceremony on the occasion of the transformation of Kosovo's Security Forces (BSK) into an army, he said Kosovo Albanians, as “the oldest nation in the Balkans,” had “just formed its army.”
The move faced a criticism from NATO, Spain, Russia and some other countries which have not recognised Kosovo's independence, but also from the European Union.
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Belgrade said it considered the new military with old name as “an occupation force” and demanded an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council on this issue.
Contrary to that mood, Pristina was celebrating.
“We come in peace as the last military lining up alongside the armies of truce… We are boldly determined to defend peace, and we won’t allow our army to turn against its people,” Haradinaj said.
Kosovo’s President Hashim Thaci said the Parliament vote on the laws enabling the transformation of the BSK proved a unity which, according to him, should be preserved and nourished.
“Kosovo’s political forces unanimously showed that, when it concerns Kosovo’s interest, its common good, they overcome parties’ preoccupations. I demand that we keep the unity achieved today in other vital processes ahead of us,” he said.
Thaci added the transformation would be in coordination with NATO and other partners.
Kadri Veseli, the Parliament speaker, added Kosovo's citizens were the nation that “never attacked anyone,” that never hated anyone and although they were victims of different ideologies they never “fed” any ideology against the others.
“We believe in justice because we fought for justice. We have been, and we are on the side of the true justice, and our future is in the Euro-Atlantic integration,” Veseli said.
He added that “Kosovo’s army uniform will be the uniform of honour for all (ethnic) communities in Kosovo.”
Pristina officials thanked the US for “unselfish help at all stages of freedom and independence of Kosovo.”
