Prishtina, 28 May 2026
The Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, and the Acting Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, at a joint press conference, provided information regarding the process of establishing the Gendarmerie and the mandate it is envisaged to have.
In his opening remarks, Acting Prime Minister Kurti stated that the establishment of the Gendarmerie as a new specialized, modern, and disciplined structure is a necessity of the times, which will fill the gap between the Kosovo Police and the Army, namely the Kosovo Security Force.
“The Gendarmerie will have a clear mandate: securing the land, water, and air border line throughout the territory of the Republic of Kosovo; conducting operations against terrorist and armed groups, including those of a paramilitary nature; preventing and combating all forms of cross-border smuggling, both of goods and migrants; managing high-risk situations; as well as protecting critical infrastructure,” he said.
Acting Prime Minister Kurti emphasized that the model of a gendarmerie or similar structures is a proven European practice, adding that the Kosovo Gendarmerie model will be built in accordance with the constitutional system, specificities, and circumstances of the Republic of Kosovo. In Europe, 18 states have a gendarmerie or similar structures.
Full Speech of Acting Prime Minister Kurti at the press conference:
Dear citizens,
Dear representatives of the media,
The security situation at the global, regional, and also the Republic of Kosovo level is evolving rapidly. The threats we face today are not the same as those of a decade ago.
The main challenges we have faced in recent years include:
– Armed groups with paramilitary organization and capabilities superior to ordinary police capacities. Furthermore,
– Continuous smuggling of weapons and goods, which undermines public security along the green border line. Then,
– Structured infiltration by armed groups that threaten our sovereignty.
– The use of modern technologies — especially drones, as well as,
– Continuous monitoring of difficult land, water, and air terrain, as well as critical infrastructure.
The Kosovo Police has done and continues to do extraordinary work. Nevertheless, its mandate is the maintenance of public order and the prevention and investigation of crime.
Over recent years, especially in the north of our country, we have faced continuous attacks against the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, the Kosovo Police, security institutions, citizens, and international institutions and missions, such as the kidnapping of police officers and citizens, attacks on KFOR soldiers and journalists, the terrorist attack in Banjska of Zvečan, and the attack on Ibër-Lepenc, among others. These incidents demonstrated that armed groups with paramilitary organization, heavy weaponry, and military operational capacities, including drones and anti-drone systems, exceeding standard police capabilities, have endangered and may continue to seriously endanger the sovereignty of the Republic of Kosovo and its citizens.
With the aim of addressing these challenges — namely significant difficulties and serious risks — and confronting them effectively, the establishment of the Gendarmerie as a new specialized, modern, and disciplined structure is a necessity of the times, which will fill the gap between the Kosovo Police and the Army, namely the Kosovo Security Force.
The Gendarmerie will have a clear mandate: securing the land, water, and air border line throughout the territory of the Republic of Kosovo; conducting operations against terrorist and armed groups, including those of a paramilitary nature; preventing and combating all forms of cross-border smuggling, both of goods and migrants; managing high-risk situations; as well as protecting critical infrastructure.
The Gendarmerie model is a proven European practice. States such as France, Italy, Turkey, Spain, and Portugal, among others, have similar structures with clear roles and mandates, which have operated effectively and professionally for decades. We are following the best European practices, but Kosovo’s model will be built in accordance with our constitutional system and the specificities and circumstances of the Republic of Kosovo.
The working group established by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, is already working on analyzing all aspects related to the establishment of the Gendarmerie. The establishment and operationalization of the Gendarmerie will be carried out through the adoption of a special law by the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo in the 11th legislature, which will emerge following the early elections of 7 June.
For more, I now give the floor to the Minister of Internal Affairs.
