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Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti announced Thursday that Kosovo will establish a gendarmerie force to counter growing paramilitary threats, arms and goods smuggling, and terrorist attacks, particularly in the country’s north.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Pristina with Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla, Kurti identified armed groups with paramilitary structures and cross-border smuggling networks as key threats to public security and Kosovo’s sovereignty.
He also warned that advances in technology, particularly the growing use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and counter-UAV systems, have increased security risks.
“Such groups pose a threat to Kosovo’s sovereignty,” Kurti said.
While praising the work of the Kosovo Police, Kurti said the force’s mandate is primarily limited to maintaining public order, preventing crime and conducting investigations.
He noted that attacks targeting Kosovo institutions and international organizations operating in the country, particularly in the north, have increased in recent years.
According to Kurti, the presence of paramilitary groups equipped with heavy weapons, military operational capabilities, UAVs and counter-UAV systems demonstrates threats that exceed the capabilities of conventional police forces.
To address those challenges, he said Kosovo would establish a gendarmerie force to bridge the gap between the police and the Kosovo Security Force.
Kurti said the new force would be responsible for border security, counterterrorism operations, combating armed groups and smuggling, managing high-risk situations and protecting critical infrastructure.
He added that countries including Türkiye, France, Italy, Spain and Portugal have long operated similar systems.
According to Kurti, Kosovo’s model will be designed in line with the country’s constitutional framework and security needs.
The prime minister said the establishment and operation of the gendarmerie would be regulated through a special law to be approved by the Kosovo Assembly.
Svecla said a working group has already been formed to analyze potential models and prepare recommendations for the creation of the force.
He added that the gendarmerie would be established as a separate unit under the Interior Ministry.
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