Beyond mutual accusations on the eve of Vidovdan, strong symbolic messages were also sent from both Pristina and Belgrade — delivered in front of uniformed units.
Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić, speaking at the celebration of Gendarmerie Day, compared members of this unit to the Kosovo heroes, declaring them “a firm guarantee of security and state sovereignty.”
On the other side, Kosovo’s acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, referring to the KLA (Kosovo Liberation Army), told new recruits of the Kosovo Security Force that they were “living the dream of the liberators,” adding that Kosovo today is equipped with “invincible and unbreakable soldiers,” and that its “sovereignty and territorial integrity are untouchable.”
In Belgrade, Gendarmerie Day was marked today, with Interior Minister Ivica Dačić in attendance.
He stated that the members of this elite unit are “a firm guarantee of our internal security and stability” and that this would remain so in the coming days and years.
“It is an honor to address you today, on the eve of Vidovdan, the day and the patron day of the Gendarmerie of the Republic of Serbia. A day that holds a special place in the consciousness and heart of the Serbian people, not only as a historical date but as a day that sums up centuries of struggle, suffering, pride, and determination — for freedom, for honor, for the homeland. That is why it is no coincidence that Vidovdan is your unit’s day. What the Kosovo heroes meant to our people, you represent today, as modern guardians of the security and dignity of the Republic of Serbia,” Dačić said.
He added that being a member of the Gendarmerie is not just a job, a title, or a duty, but a calling that demands more than knowledge and skill — it demands courage, honor, and loyalty.
“Where there is hardship, you go. Where there is no solution, you create the space for people to live in peace, for the law to apply to all, and for Serbia to remain stable. And so today, beyond speaking of the success of this unit, we are talking about something much deeper. Today we speak of those who are no longer among us. About members of the Gendarmerie who laid down their lives on the altar of security. About people who did not become mere numbers or statistics, but your eternal comrades and heroes. Their names are not erased from memory. Their sacrifice is not forgotten. Nor do we forget those who were severely wounded, permanently injured, who left part of themselves and their strength for the peace that many today take for granted,” Dačić emphasized.
With a message that “the state counts on you, is proud of you, and stands behind you,” Dačić assured Gendarmerie members:
“We will continue to equip your unit, improve working and living conditions so that you can carry out your tasks effectively and safely. And that is not just a promise but an obligation. Serbia cannot be secure if you are not secure. That is the essence,” Dačić stressed.
Kurti: Invincible and unbreakable
Similar words were delivered today by Kosovo’s acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, in an address to a total of 350 new KSF recruits taking their oath.
Praising KSF members, he declared:
“Professionally and logistically prepared, our soldiers are invincible and unbreakable, while state sovereignty is untouchable, and territorial integrity is inviolable.”
“Against the enemy and every threat to peace and security, there no longer stands the former Kosovo, but the army of Kosovo, with many young men and women who, like you, proudly wear the uniform with the symbol of the fearless eagle on their shoulders,” Kurti said.
While Dačić spoke of June as a meaningful month because of Vidovdan, for Kurti, this month had a different significance. Referring back to the 1990s and the KLA, he noted:
“The month of important historical events, of political and military organization for the war for freedom and independence, is ending this year with the filling of the ranks of the Kosovo Security Force with 350 new soldiers.”
To the new KSF members, he added:
“The dream of all those who sacrificed themselves for freedom, dear recruits, you are realizing today.”
Ahead of Vidovdan: Belgrade and Pristina trade accusations; Kosovo Police call for calm; EU urges restraint
The Serbian Orthodox Church and its faithful will tomorrow celebrate Vidovdan — one of the most important Christian holidays, which is also a crucial date in Serbian history, including its modern chapter.
Ahead of the holiday, accusations emerged, including those from Kurti, who claimed that possible incidents supported by Belgrade could occur during the events at Gazimestan — accusations rejected by the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, which described them as “an open threat of violence against Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija.” Kosovo Police, on the other hand, announced the application of operational measures and called on everyone to avoid provocations.
The EU Office in Kosovo called for “maximum restraint.”
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
