Security group calls on Kosovo to continue talks with Serbia

Pristina, 11 March 2017 (MIA) - Kosovo’s leaders must continue European Union-facilitated talks aimed at normalizing ties with Serbia, a European security official said Friday amid rising tensions between the two countries.
The head of the 57-nation Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe met with senior officials and political leaders in Pristina to express concern about the situation.
“Restoring a positive trend of normalization of relations is key to progress and stability,” Lamberto Zannier said in a statement emailed to The Associated Press. “Leaders must remain committed to the implementation of the Brussels agreements and to the EU-facilitated dialogue process with renewed energy and assurance.”
Earlier this week, Kosovo’s president said it planned to transform its lightly-armed security force into an army. Relations between Kosovo and Serbia have been tense recently and the move is likely to make things worse. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, and it has been recognized by 114 countries but not Serbia.
President Hashim Thaci, who prepared the draft law, on Friday urged the government and the parliament to speed up steps to vote on the draft law, adding that “the international community is obliged to convince Belgrade not to interfere in Kosovo’s internal issues.”
NATO and the U.S. have warned they could scale back cooperation with Kosovo’s security services if the government goes ahead with plans to transform its security force into an army without the required constitutional changes.