Kosovo’s Defense Minister, Ejup Makedonci, stated that the new ballistic missiles Serbia has purchased from China are offensive and not defensive. He said that this is not the first time that Belgrade has made such purchases, increasing the level of militarization of the country.
“In fact, the purchase of these systems is not only happening recently. Serbia has been continuously making purchases from Russia, China, but also from other countries. We have information that it has been making purchases for several years of various missiles from China,” said Kosovo Defense Minister Ejup Maqedonci on the “Puls” show.
“Of course, these latest missiles have the nature of missiles that are designed for attacks and as such pose a threat not only to the Republic of Kosovo, but to the entire Balkan region. This is further showing Serbia’s hegemonic approach and attempt to dominate in the military, economic, but also in other aspects in the Western Balkans.”
According to him, this refutes the claims of Serbian President Aleksandar Vu?i? that he is trying to protect himself from Albania, Kosovo and Croatia.
“Of course, the excuses made by the heads of state in Serbia, that these supplies are being made because, as they say, they feel threatened by the trilateral agreement between Kosovo, Albania and Croatia, do not hold up because these purchases have not only been made since the period when we signed the trilateral agreement, but have been made even earlier,” said the Macedonian.
“Making these purchases from non-NATO countries and on the other hand promoting hegemonic policies in relation to neighbors, where the purchase of such missiles is combined with a political approach in relation to neighbors, then it is threatening to the entire region and it is really important that NATO takes seriously not only this purchase but the entire militarization of Serbia and seriously discusses this issue.”