Montenegro\u2019s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday it has sent a verbal note to the Embassy of Kosovo in Podgorica regarding gunfire that allegedly came from the Kosovo side of the border near the Montenegrin ski resort area of Hajla-Shtedim.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe competent authorities of the Republic of Kosovo have been asked to identify and prosecute the perpetrators of these incidents, as well as to inform Montenegro about all measures and actions taken,\u201d the Montenegrin Foreign Ministry said in a statement to Radio Free Europe\/Radio Liberty (RFE\/RL).<\/p>\n
The ministry, led by Ervin Ibrahimovi\u0107, described the cases as isolated incidents. At least two instances of damage were recorded at the Hajla-Shtedim ski resort, located about 1.5 kilometers from the border with Kosovo.<\/p>\n
In both cases, Montenegrin authorities suspect that the shots were fired from Kosovo\u2019s territory. The first incident occurred in July last year, when damage was discovered on the ski resort\u2019s cabin, and prosecutors in Ro\u017eaje opened a case. The second incident took place on August 24 of this year, when shots were fired at a facility of the ski resort. Prosecutors are expected to open a case following the completion of a police investigation.<\/p>\n
The verbal note was sent after repeated incidents registered by the police in Ro\u017eaje, the Montenegrin Foreign Ministry said, adding that Kosovo\u2019s ambassador was also informed about the incidents on September 22.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe these isolated cases do not reflect the clear commitment of both our states to strengthen regional cooperation and further improve bilateral relations,\u201d the ministry told RFE\/RL.<\/p>\n
It also emphasized that special attention had been drawn to the importance of implementing three bilateral agreements: on the state border between Montenegro and Kosovo, the opening of the joint border crossing Kotlovi\u2013Ku\u010disht\u00eb, and regulating cross-border movement.<\/p>\n
Fadil Gashi, from the Kosovo Police in the Peja region, told RFE\/RL that they have no information about security incidents along the border with Montenegro, stressing that regional police are primarily engaged in \u201cmaintaining public order and peace,\u201d not handling international incidents.<\/p>\n
RFE\/RL also contacted the central directorate of Kosovo Police for comment and is awaiting a response. The Kosovo government is also expected to issue a statement.<\/p>\n
Montenegro and Kosovo signed the border demarcation agreement in 2015. Montenegro ratified it the same year, while Kosovo\u2019s parliament ratified it three years later.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Montenegro\u2019s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday it has sent a verbal note to the Embassy of Kosovo in Podgorica regarding gunfire that allegedly came from the Kosovo side of the border near the Montenegrin ski resort area of Hajla-Shtedim. \u201cThe competent authorities of the Republic of Kosovo have been asked to identify and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":80525,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1803],"tags":[243,151],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n