Kosovo leaders and NATO discuss security and elections
Kosovo President Vyosa Osmani said the reinforced NATO forces in the country should stay in place until Kosovo earns formal membership in the Alliance. Reuters reported her remarks, highlighting the ongoing importance of international security guarantees as the country moves toward greater integration with Western institutions.
Osmani also emphasized that Belgrade must provide clear assurances to the international community that it will not interfere in new municipal elections planned for Serb-populated areas in the north of Kosovo. The aim is to ensure a fair and peaceful electoral process in regions where local authorities are prepared to oversee the vote.
In related discussions, Osmani indicated that Kosovo could organize elections in Serb-majority municipalities if enough eligible voters sign a petition representing around 20 percent of the electorate. This threshold would enable local authorities to move forward with the electoral plan while addressing concerns from different communities.
The Kosovo situation intensified at the end of May. Albanian leaders were assigned four mayoral posts in the northern municipalities following the April 23 local elections, an outcome that Serbian residents boycotted. The arrival of these new mayors at the city halls triggered protests and prompted a stronger international presence. In response, NATO expanded its KFOR operation by adding 700 personnel to reinforce security in the region. Reuters covered the escalation, noting that the added troops are intended to stabilize governance and prevent flareups as political talks continue.