NATO's international peacekeeping mission in Kosovo (KFor) confirmed that it "received the request of the government of Serbia for the return of Serbian military and police forces to Kosovo and is considering it," informed the Serbian editorial office of En1 TV.

"We received a letter from Serbia and we are currently evaluating it.

KFOR remains particularly alert and fully capable of fulfilling its mandate," the peacekeeping mission's response to Radio Free Europe states.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said yesterday that he would send the request by email this evening, and today Serbian Defense Minister Milos Vučević said that members of the Serbian armed forces had handed KFOR a request for the return of up to 1,000 members of the Serbian army and police to Kosovo.

As previously reported, Serbia's request is subject to a ruling by the NATO Military Council, which will recommend to KeyFor a response to Serbia's request.

More arrests of ethnic Serbs in Kosovo

According to annex 2 of Resolution 1244, Serbia has the right to return up to 1,000 members of its security forces with the authorization of KFOR in only three cases: to mark or clear minefields, to maintain a presence in Serbian cultural heritage sites, and to maintain a presence in the main border points.

It is considered almost certain that such permission will not be granted.

The US Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, during his visit to the region this week in Pristina and Belgrade, said the US strongly opposes Serbia's request, and German Foreign Minister Analena Berbock also spoke out against it a few days ago.

The consensus of all NATO members is needed to make such decisions, notes BTA.

NATO

Kosovo

Serbia