Kosovo State Minister Rasim Demiri said he expected Turkey would support the country's formation of a national army. "We believe that Turkey will give support for the creation of armed forces," Demiri told Anadolu Agency (AA) during a visit to Ankara.
In January a draft law was filed in the southeastern European state to convert the country's armed security forces into a national army - a move that increased tensions with neighboring Serbia. President Hashim Thaci sees the transformation of the Kosovo Security Force as a normal step for an independent state. But Serbia reportedly believes the move will destabilize the region. Kosovo is sure it will get "support from both NATO and other foundations," according to Demiri.
Kosovo is a former Serbian province of nearly 1.8 million people, over 90 percent of whom are Kosovar Albanians. The country declared independence from Serbia in 2008 but Belgrade insists the country remains part of Serbia. Since then tensions have remained between Kosovo's ethnic-Albanian majority and a small Serb minority in the north.
Meanwhile, the state is recognized by over 100 countries, including the U.S., Britain, France, Germany and Turkey. Serbia, Russia and China are among the countries that have not yet recognized the country's independence.
In January, tensions again flared up between Serbia and Kosovo after a train bearing pro-Serb slogans tried to enter Kosovo. "It was an incitement made by Serbs," said minister Demiri. "The real reason of the tension is the [upcoming] election in Serbia."
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