“De Tijd”: How Belgium is trying to entice Kosovo to build a prison where it would send criminals through military cooperation

“De Tijd”: How Belgium is trying to entice Kosovo to build a prison where it would send criminals through military cooperation

Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken (N-VA) has quietly signed a military cooperation agreement with Kosovo, which aims to strengthen the defense industry between the two countries and, according to him, create goodwill for the construction of a prison in Kosovo where illegal criminals from Belgium will be sent.

The declaration of intent was signed during the international defense fair IDEF in Istanbul, between Francken and Kosovar counterpart Ejup Maqedonci, envisioning partnerships between companies, knowledge exchange, and development of the defense industry.

Francken said this was a deliberate choice to deepen historical ties with Kosovo and strengthen security in Europe. The agreement, which dates back to late July, was not made public with much fanfare, as cooperation with Pristina is particularly sensitive in Serbia, which does not recognize Kosovo’s independence.

According to “Tijd”, this is because it is said that military cooperation with Kosovo could arouse discontent in Serbia, where political tensions are rising again.

Since taking office as minister, Francken has very consciously launched a seductive offensive towards Kosovo. In early July, he announced that Belgium would accredit a military attaché from the Balkan state in Brussels “for the first time since Kosovo’s independence.” The cooperation agreement is the next step in that operation.

By strengthening military ties with Kosovo, Francken hopes above all to create goodwill to be able to build a prison in Kosovo, where illegal criminals from Belgium would eventually be sent.

This is why Francken decided to rejoin KFOR earlier.

“De Tijd” writes that it has always been Francken’s hobby to open a prison in Kosovo. Without mentioning Kosovo, the coalition agreement also stipulates that, following the example of Denmark, agreements will be concluded “with other European states under the rule of law to build or rent prisons there, where prisoners finally convicted of illegal residence can serve all or part of their pre-trial detention for crimes and misdemeanors.” After serving their sentences, they will be sent to their country of origin or to another country where they can stay.

Renting, buying or building prison capacity is one of the options Belgian Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden has in mind to do something about the country’s prison overcrowding. It’s not yet certain whether it will be in Kosovo, but it is a possibility.