Mitchell Tells Serbia US Supports Kosovo Army (Balkan Insight)
Senior US official Wess Mitchell confirmed America’s support for the establishment of a regular army in Kosovo during his visit to Serbia – which strongly opposes the idea.
US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Wess Mitchell reaffirmed Washington’s support for the establishment of a Kosovo army after a meeting with Serbia’s President, Aleksandar Vucic, on Wednesday.
“Nobody can place a veto on Kosovo’s right to develop its [armed] forces," Mitchell said at a joint press conference with Vucic, adding that the issue requires Kosovo’s constitution to be amended.
Vucic, however, insisted that there are no legal grounds for Kosovo to form an army, adding that the only reason it is being allowed to do so is because the US recognizes its independence – which Serbia does not.
"I ask anyone from the US or EU to show me a document allowing Kosovo to establish its own armed forces. It doesn’t exist," Vucic said.