Serbia’s Office for Kosovo has lashed out after Kosovo police announced they would be increasing their logistic capacities in the border village of Bërnjak.
On Saturday morning, Kosovo police published a press release informing the public that several containers and other logistic tools have been sent to Bërnjak, a border village with a majority Serb population.
“In order to improve the work conditions for police officers working in the border region of Bërnjak, who have continued to work under poor conditions, today the Kosovo Police has sent logistic tools and containers, that will be used by the border police officers to carry out their duties, in the interest of public safety and security.”
The press release describes the operation as part of the Kosovo Police’s efforts to improve work conditions for police officers.
The announcement drew the attention of the Office for Kosovo of the Serbian government, which described it as “dangerous provocation” that seeks to “destabilize the region.”
The office called on Prishtina not to provoke Belgrade at a time when “the world is facing a sensitive moment for [global] security.”
Tensions have been high in the Balkans as local leaders fear that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine may influence Serbia.
Earlier this week, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that the crisis may spread to the Balkans, while Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani raised concerns that Russia will use Serbia, one of its closest allies, to destabilize the region.
Last year, Kosovo’s two border checkpoints with Serbia at Bërnjak and Jarina were the subjects of blockades by Kosovo Serbs after Kosovo imposed reciprocity measures on cars with Serbian license plates.
