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Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said in Pristina that the Hizmet Movement of cleric Fethullah Gulen could pose a threat to the state of Kosovo.
Turkey refers to this movement with the acronym FETO and has declared it a terrorist organization.
During a press conference together with his Kosovar counterpart, Akar said that they have meetings with the Kosovar side on the issue of the Hizmet Movement and that Turkey expects “concrete steps” in this direction.
“This issue is not only threatening for our state, but it can also be threatening for the state of Kosovo. In this aspect, we are waiting for concrete steps to be taken from our Kosovar friends and Kosovar institutions “, said the Turkish Minister.
In March 2018, Kosovo arrested and deported six Turkish citizens who had worked at the private school “Mehmet Akif” in Pristina.
Their deportation is said to have taken place through a coordinated action between the intelligence services from Turkey and Kosovo.
The arrest and deportation was preceded by the revocation of their residence permits in Kosovo.
All those arrested, meanwhile, have faced trials in Turkey and were eventually sentenced to a total of 56 years and 7 and a half months in prison.
Their arrest and deportation are also the subject of investigations in the Special Prosecution of Kosovo, as it is suspected that the process was followed by dozens of violations.
Ankara declared the Hizmet movement terrorist in May 2016, accusing its supporters of trying to overthrow the Turkish government.
Gulen was an ally of current Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan until 2013.
At the time, police and prosecutors seen as supporters of Gulen had launched corruption investigations into Erdogan’s inner circle.
Erdogan has said that Gulen conspired to overthrow his government in 2016, building a network of supporters in the media, judiciary and education, who would rise up against him. Gulen has denied the allegations.
Since the failed coup, Turkish authorities have arrested thousands of people on suspicion of links to Gulen.
Mehaj: Turkey contributes to the capacity building of the KSF
Meanwhile, regarding the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, he said that this process is important, adding that Turkey is closely following other developments in the region “in order to create stability and peace.”
On the other hand, the Minister of Defense of Kosovo, Armend Mehaj thanked Turkey for the support it offers in terms of defense.
“In terms of defense issues, the Republic of Turkey is one of the most important contributors to building the capacity of the KSF, and we will always be grateful,” said Mehaj.
He added that currently there are 19 members of the KSF who are being trained in defense academies in Turkey and that there will be other trainings and exercises next year.
Turkey’s support for the KSF
Turkey has assisted the Kosovo Security Force in recent years, mainly through donations. Radio Free Europe reported in July that the KSF receives about 100 million Turkish lira a year in donations, which it uses to contract the purchase of military equipment, also from Turkey.
Kosovo has also signed a contract with the Turkish state for the purchase of 14 military vehicles armored with weapons.
Four vehicles will be of Vuran type with 4 × 4 traction, while ten others of the same company, but of KIPRi type, equipped with weapons.
Vuran vehicles are manufactured by the Turkish commercial military vehicle company, BMC Otomotiv in cooperation with the largest defense equipment firm, Aselsan.
Earlier, Turkey donated Cobra armored vehicles to the KSF. While during three years, the KSF has provided individual equipment, in the value of annual donations given by the Turkish state.
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