Decision to create a Kosovo army have "deteriorated relations" with Serbia - UN peacekeeping chief

The decision by Kosovo’s parliament to form a national army was described by the UN Peacekeeping chief on Monday as having “further deteriorated relations between Belgrade and Pristina,” which, he said, have been strained for some time.
UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said it was “crucial that Belgrade and Pristina avoid any steps that could further worsen the situation” following a series of steps that have heightened tensions in the region and called on both sides to “find ways to re-engage in the dialogue aimed at the normalization of their mutual relations.”
Lacroix told the Security Council today (17 Dec) that following Kosovo’s failed bid to join INTERPOL, the government of Kosovo announced an increase of the tariff on goods imported from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina from ten to 100 percent. Belgrade, for its part, stated that Pristina had violated the Central European Free Trade Agreement and stressed that it would only resume its involvement in the EU-facilitated dialogue once Pristina revokes the import tax. Furthermore, He said Kosovo adopted three laws on 14 December which made substantial changes, to be implemented over a period of time, to the mandate, role and strength of the Kosovo Security Force.