Russia concerned about reports Syrian opposition training in Kosovo
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 15 May 2012 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia concerned about reports Syrian opposition training in Kosovo, 15 May 2012, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4fbcc8d624.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
May 15, 2012
Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, has told the UN Security Council that his country is concerned about reports that Syrian rebels are receiving training in Kosovo.
Churkin said that if the reports are true, the presence of Syrian fighters in Kosovo would undermine international efforts to restore peace to Syria.
Churkin added that "turning Kosovo into an international training center for insurgents of various armed units could become a serious destabilizing factor going beyond the Balkan region."
Kosovo's Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj admitted that the Kosovar government is in contact with the Syrian opposition but explained that Kosovo was "among the first governments in Europe supporting the opposition in Libya and other Arab countries" in 2011 because "we were fighting for the same aspirations."
Hoxhaj rejected claims Syrian opposition fighters were training in Kosovo.
Based on reporting by Reuters
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
