President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, said today at an open debate with representatives of Serbian media and civil society, at the Medeia Center based in Caglavica,, that the creation of a Kosovo army is legal and fully in line with the Constitution of Kosovo. He said he expects NATO to continue supporting the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) as it did since its establishment. “Transformation will be done by preserving partnership with our allies. We will have both the army and partners,” Thaci said. He said the KSF de facto is Kosovo’s army because it is an armed force but that it has to become so de jure as well as a step towards NATO membership.

Speaking about the decision of the Kosovo government to take over ownership of former Yugoslavia’s assets in its territory, Thaci said Serbia has no jurisdiction over Kosovo. “Serbia has no property in Kosovo,” Thaci said. He noted that the issue of property and Kosovo army is being used by Belgrade as part of platform for upcoming presidential elections. “I understand Serbia’s prime minister who is running his presidential bid – he could win elections in Serbia, but property belongs to Kosovo.”

As for the establishment of Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities, Thaci said the issue depends on the Serbian List and called on the party to return to Kosovo institutions. “It could be in the interest of Serbia to keep them outside the institutions but not in the interest of Kosovo Serbs.”